Kahuto Chishi Sumi
G.B. Hevishe Village, Dimapur
I do not support or condemn any of the many Naga Political Groups that are purportedly fighting for the rights of the Nagas; if any one faction or group of factions can further the Good of All Nagas, more power to them. But Nagas everywhere, whether it be in the various states of India or Myanmar should know exactly what each of them are fighting for.
The N.S.C.N. (K) has made its stand clear, i.e. Integration of all Nagas and total Independence. The N.S.C.N. (U), N.S.C.N. (R) and the N.N.C.s have decided to stand on a common platform to discuss Terms with the Indian Government. What puzzles the vast majority of Nagas everywhere and also the peoples of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is the stand of the N.S.C.N. (I-M). It would not have mattered as much if not for the fact that they, themselves, along with the Government of India, had not publicised it so much, along with the imminence of its signing. The “Framework Agreement” seems to be the greatest thing that has happened to India since Independence from the British Crown; and that Nagas have never seen, nor will ever see it’s like. The bombastic terms used to describe it leaves me undecided on whether to swell with pride or blush in embarrassment.
The first thing every Naga should keep in mind is that, “The words used to describe anything does not matter so much as the thing itself.”Calling a diamond a stone, does not lessen its value, it is still a diamond. Likewise, calling a stone a diamond, does not turn it into a diamond, it remains a stone. So using terms like “Historic”, “Unique” etc. to describe the “Framework Agreement” means nothing until and unless we know what is historic or unique about it. We should not worry about whether “Sovereignty” is to be shared or divided, but, “Who will wield sovereignty over us, and under what terms and conditions?”
I have come across some images of some documents on the internet which purports to be clauses of the “Framework Agreement”. In an earlier article, I had suggested that the N.S.C.N. (I-M) should either accept or deny their veracity. I know that I am nobody, that such a powerful and important organisation like the N.S.C.N. (I-M) should pay attention to anything I say or write; but in the interests of all Nagas who have suffered untold and innumerable miseries at the hands of so many for so long, while some of us purport to fight for “Our” rights, I bring to light some, which I think all Nagas of Nagaland, should worry about.
1. The clauses are printed on a map of the present State of Nagaland and speak of “The State of Nagaland”, not “The State of Nagalim”, mind you. So, if the documents are true, there seems to be no question of territorial integration of Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh or Myanmar. So, the Chief Ministers of Manipur and Assam, along with their citizens, can stop worrying about the breakup of their states. And we, in Nagaland, can rest assured that the “Framework Agreement” will apply, exclusively, to the present state of Nagaland
2. One clause states,” Government of Nagaland will have the authority to levy income and other taxes on permanent residents of Nagaland in relation to any transactions, which take place within Nagaland.” Another states, “Only permanent residents of Nagaland may own land Nagaland (sic). Other residents may lease land but not own it.”
Here, I want the reader to be very attentive. Leave aside the part mentioning taxes and concentrate on the words, “Permanent Resident of Nagaland”, not Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland, but Permanent resident of Nagaland. If the clause is really from the “Framework Agreement” then all Nagas of Nagaland should be aware that we are no longer to be classified as indigenous people of Nagaland. Furthermore, we have to ask ourselves:-
(a) What or who is a “Permanent Resident’ of Nagaland?
(b) On what basis will “Permanency’ be decided? Will it be decided on the length of your stay in Nagaland or the fact that your ancestors settled the land, claimed it from the forests, braved diseases and wild animals so that their descendants could have a piece of land that they could call their own?
(c) When I already have constitutional protection under India that only an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland can own land in Nagaland, why should I agree to an “Agreement” wherein a new animal called a “Permanent Resident of Nagaland” may deprive me of my right to my land?
3. A third clause states, “All natural resources in, below and above the soil will belong to Nagaland”. It does not specify whether it will belong to “The State “ or “The Government”; but I feel that I am right in concluding that it will NOT belong to “The People”.
So, in the event that the document is true, Nagas in Nagaland will no longer be able to sell lumber from the forests we presently own, unless we have planted the trees ourselves, we will lose the rights to the waters and creatures of our rivers and streams, we can no longer sell or mine coal or any other minerals found in our lands. And the Lothas of Champang Valley can stop worrying about royalties from their oilfields.
Everybody seems to be calling for unity so that the “Historic Framework Agreement” may be signed. That under its “Direction”, Nagas will arrive at the magical “Solution” to all our problems, that Tribalism, Corruption, Nepotism and Sycophancy will magically vanish; and that the “Collective Leadership” possesses all the Wisdom of Solomon and Imagination of Einstein to change Nagaland into a Heaven on Earth. But I am a Doubting Thomas. I reserve my Blind Faith in God and God alone, I will not put my faith in any one man, or group of men until and unless I know where he or they are leading me. I may be a dog barking while the caravan moves on; but I bark that the caravan may not fall over a cliff or that it sinks into a quicksand from which it never emerges into the light of day. GOD SAVE OUR NAGALAND
