Ironically, under NPF-DAN Government Nagaland’s reality is that it is being run by mere political rhetoric, arrogance and misadventure that has placed itself as a paradox state. To substantiate, would to justify with some factual prevalent points for the Naga people to judge and analyze them.
1. It is in the memory of every sensible Naga that Indo-Naga political problem that has existed for more than 6 decades is one of the most complicated and complexed political issue in the North-East region which is yet to secure a negotiated settlement inspites of being putting a sincere affords by both the concerned parties i.e. the government of India and the Naga-underground groups. Therefore, any sensible Naga who has a concerned and pursues the issue, need to do it with political maturity and wisdom. However, conglomerate party of NPF-DAN in 2003 did promise with aplomb to secure an honourable settlement of Naga political problem acceptable to all sections of the society within 3 months if voted to power. But inspites of being in power for almost 10 years, the Nagas are yet to see the fulfillment of that populist promise.
2. The NPF party’s general convention dated 18th Nov. 2008 declaration quoted as ‘A section that is not part of the solution cannot deny that they are part of the problem’. Whilst, in another meeting at Kohima dated 29th July 2009; It has again asserted that unless all Nagas, over ground and undergrounds unite with one voice, solution will not come. So, when such conflicting and contradictory ideology and principle prevailed, where is the chance of our people coming together as one is feasible.
3. Time and again, it has announced it willingness and readiness to demit office if so required to pave the way for final settlement of Naga political problem. Yet, contradictorily on the other hand, it has without having any reservation declared to the government of India that NSCN (IM) was having linked with Huji, a Muslim terrorist organization just to keep the government of India in good humour.
4. When the demand for a separate statehood ‘Frontier Nagaland’ under the aegis of ENPO called people’s movement was initiated due to having lost of confidence in the existing institutions and authority under the present day government, the Chief Minister and the NPF party president respectively have stated as- I shall neither oppose nor support your ENPO demand/ ENPO issue is between New Delhi and ENPO only as if the state government has no concerned or moral responsibility at all on the issue has blown the issue out of proportion. As such, now the situation has reached to a point of no return as their folly utterances have rather injuried the sentiment of those aggrieved tribes beyond recoverable.
5. Backwardness and illiteracy rate is below average in more than 1/3 areas of Nagaland. Besides, the overall development in Nagaland in terms of infrastructure, employment, human resources, progress and prosperity etc. It (Nagaland) stands at the lowest rank comparing with our neighbouring states. However, the NPF-DAN government instead of putting all its affords to develop Nagaland, has been extending all out support in terms of physical, resources, financial and all logistic helps elsewhere always is irrationale and offence which should not be accepted any longer. We cannot afford to part away with our due shares always and be remained backward and miserable as ever. Is not it regrettable? Is not it anti-establishment and anti-Nagaland?
6. Also, it is accepted fact that till Nagaland is developed and its 16 tribes are united and felt secured in the first place, they cannot have a sense of belonging. And when they don’t have a sense belonging, the question of even greater Nagaland does not arise. As such, developing Nagaland as well as restoration of its 16 tribe’s confidence is Para-mount important which is also the need of the hour. But contrary to the common believed and accepted fact, the present day NPF-DAN government has taken a reversal course and that is the reason why disunity, resentment, discontentment and disillusionment prevails among the different tribes in Nagaland.
7. Nagaland statehood was born out of the 16 point agreement in 1963. And with all humility, the Naga people in general have accepted that it was the best arrangement at that point of the time to salvage the Nagas from total annihilation. Also, it was because of this agreement, we and our society have come to what we are today. In fact, this agreement has given a new breathing pace, normalcy, conducive atmosphere and also a new platform to pursue our struggle till an honourable negotiated settlement is secured which also, has made it possible for the present cease-fire and peace talk. It is clearly envisaged in the agreement that statehood was not an end in itself but means for future hopes and undeniably, the statehood gave us a sense of unity, identity and political entity too. Yet, the NPF-DAN party have time and again condemned this agreement in strongest term thereby, making hue and cry against the Congress party for having signed this agreement. They (NPF-DAN) have called it a blundered, hijacked, monopolized and back stabbed agreement while at the same time, enjoying its fruits is very unfortunate and humiliating the Nagas. But here, Nagas in general ought to know what is/are the regional party’s contribution/s towards the Naga-cause since the inception of Nagaland statehood? One can only say equi-closeness and good facilitator and nothing more.
8. Nagaland has turned into hell to live in by the common people as they are inflected with all heinous crimes in everyday life. There has been endless looting, irrational extortion, illegal taxation, abduction, raping and molestation, intimidation, threat, killing and persistent harassment meted out to the common people and no one is left untouched. The congress party therefore, out of genuine concerned for the common people have been consistently reminding the NPF-DAN government to act on this issue with an iron hand. But they stoutly defended themselves by propounding that all these crimes are political in nature and was a consequence of unresolved Naga political problem whereby, putting the social existence at stake.
9. In Nagaland, corruption has become the greatest social menace under the present day government, requiring implementations of strategy urgently to contain it before it becomes insolvent problem. However, the government has turned a blind eye to the burning issue and permeated it to grow to its present abnormal stage (corruption at all levels) negating the duty of elected government thereby, leaving more than 90% of its citizens to live in complete high and dry. This government has become the most corrupt and scam ridden government in the living history of Nagaland.
10. The NPF-DAN arrogance and aggressive policy has created enimity with all of our neigbourings. It has forgotten that we, the Nagas need our neighbours more than they need us. Our neighbours are in many ways more advance, stronger, self-reliance, talented and better equipped than us. Therefore, any irrational provocation can lead us to suffer tremendously. But the irony is that this government instead of tackling of any sensitive issue arising out with our neighbor/s on mutual respect and understanding term, permitting the NGOs to take the lead in tackling the situation is causing great concerned.
Now, our neighbours in North-East have branded us as their enemy number one and they have painted Nagaland as the breeding ground of all anti-social elements and extremist forces posing grave concerned in the entire North-East as a whole. One H.Biswa Sharma from Assam has accused the Chief Minister of Nagaland as responsible for all the troubles and problems in North-East. Besides, almost all the major political parties (both National and Regional) in the region also have accused the Chief Minister as the threat to the integrity of North-Eastern region. Furthermore, even Assam, Arunachal and Manipur protection Forum has put Nagaland as a liability with nil revenue and entirely dependent on Delhi, has no resources, expertise, professional, technical competence and machinery to manage its own state affairs yet, it encroached upon other territorial’s integrity.
The forum also claimed that in Nagaland internecing war fare was the order of the day while gun culture is all pervading and the price for dissent is death.
Therefore, the NPF-DAN government is making a fool paradise for the Nagas of Nagaland to live in which is against the will of the general public. Hence, it can be construed as anti-Nagaland too.
To sum up, this statement is not intended for the mere sake of criticism but to be viewed basing on ground reality that prevails in our present day society of Nagaland. Hence forth, leaving it to the liberty and wisdom of the general public.
Sevotso Seyie
PCC Member
