Need for Peaceful Co-existence
In a major setback for the Naga community as a whole and the eastern people in particular, the Yimchungrus have expressed their desire to separate from Kiphire district and instead demanded an administrative district headquarter for the Yimchungru tribe. In a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the Yimchungru Tribal Council (YTC) even demanded that the new district should consist of all the Yimchungru inhabited areas presently under Tuensang and Kiphire districts. In other words what the YTC is demanding is for carving out a separate district which will naturally involve redrawing of the map of Tuensang and Kiphire districts. Without going into the merits and demerits of such a demand, the trend appears to be towards creating more districts based on tribal affiliation. During the last exercise by the DAN government, three new districts were created namely Peren (Zeliang), Longleng (Phoms), Kiphire (Sangtam, Yimchunger and Sumi). Now Nagaland has eleven districts. The question that needs proper study is whether more districts should be created? Also what should be the basis for creating new districts—tribe identity, administrative convenience or both? It has been the stated position of this newspaper that matters relating to land, its people and identities are sensitive issues that must be handled with outmost care, maturity, wisdom and foresight. While this being the case, the State government and also the concerned tribal hohos including the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) must urgently assess the situation leading to the grievances of a particular tribe and the demand that it has put forward. The State government has also stepped in to help in mediation, which is a welcome move. Collective effort will be required to bring about a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
In a very recent editorial ‘Land dispute & tribalism’ it has already been suggested to the State government to take immediate note of social tensions arising out of disputes over land and resources, the latest being the face-off over the planned State Road Show at Pungro which was cancelled at the last hour following the threat of violence erupting. For the long term and to ensure peace and stability in Nagaland, the State government will have to seriously consider the entire gamut of issues related to land, its people, the boundary demarcation between districts and also the plethora of disputes related to land. If required an independent assessment can be done by some expert committee appointed by the government. Based on such a study necessary corrections can be made so that no room is left for fissures to reappear. The Chief Minister should also take personal initiative and encourage the conflicting parties to come to a mutual understanding through dialogue. At a time when Nagas are trying to heal the wounds of the past, the latest fissure between the Sangtams and Yimchungrus is worrying and is a step backward. The grievances raised by the Yimchungru people must be looked into. The bigger tribes must not reprimand but rather demonstrate brotherly love. The ENPO also needs to work closely both with the State government and also within its own ranks to defuse whatever misunderstanding that may have cropped up. For Nagas, the need of the hour is harmony and peaceful coexistence.
