History tells us that Nagas are a unique race different from that of Indians. It is because of the living conditions, the food habits, the social systems, the religion, the living standard, the manner and behaviours so on and so forth. All these aspects of life, which were quite different from the rest of Indian society dominantly shadowed by the class system of society, the dowry system, the untouchabality, the style of living etc. made the Nagas a distinctive people and rightly recognised and accepted as the race of its unique history and identity. From there the political right of NAGAS derived from and still it has been recognised Nagas problem as political problem; not an insurgency problem.
The political problem must be solved through political talks and for that matter the Naga political problem has been intensively processed on a talk for a long period of time with the Government of India. There were also a negative unique history of Nagas; such as head hunting in the past, animism beliefs, practice of witches, chain use of local tobacco, the tribalism, excessive use of various alcohols, use of opium’s in the case of certain tribes, polygamy marriages and gypsy women wandering in villages for want of unpopular recognitions. But all these negative unique attitudes have been dying down with coming of Christianity in Nagaland for 150 years period.
So then, where is our unique Naga identity in the present generation? Should the Nagas go back to the past and claim our unique history without reasoning the good and badness of society? It is the decision of the people in general and the individual in particular as to which path we should choose to preserve the unique identity of Nagas in this fast changing society of computer stage.
In this transitory period of society people tends to think his/her own benefits in interpreting the general uniqueness of society and cover up his/her style of functioning for its survivals.
It is a fact that during the Congress ministry in Nagaland under the leadership of Mr. S.C.Jamir the Government of India recognised Naga problem as political problem not an insurgency problem. It is also a fact that in due course of several talks between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) within and outside the Indian country, the GOI has recognized the unique history of Nagas and still talks prolongs for more than one and half decade on the basis of its unique history. Nagas in general should give our sincere gratitude to the leaders who could convince the GOI for accepting the truth of Nagas.
But the aspiration of Nagas do not end there, all these good works done by various organisations or agencies are paving away for a common goal of Nagas. There is no rigidity of common Naga goal. One group or another entity cannot dictate this common goal. It is the common property of the whole Nagas irrespective of different affiliations or affinities. Let the majority of the people representing the leaders of Nagas decide on behalf of the Nagas, because Nagas in general want to live a better and brighter life. Nagas need a better change of society. In God, Nagas trust for a peaceful and prosperous society where by the positive unique history of Nagas can be handed over the up-coming younger generations.
Nagas by our claim of unique history happened to eliminate ourselves by boycotting two/ three general legislative/ parliamentary assembly elections. But there were no consensus opinions and some group or the other political party in the union -of India got the advantage of running the state government without major oppositions. Therefore Nagas must be very cautious to access the situation and take up a common decision which is best for the all of Nagas. That way the same error of the past can be avoided. This is the genuine voice of the Nagas for a better change of society.
K. Ritse, Chairman APMC Pfutsero
