The speed with which the neighbouring States of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh recently started objecting to a possible supra State status towards finding a solution to the Naga Impasse will have convinced everybody here how far the situation has changed between 2001 and 2011.
In 2002, despite misunderstandings, even agitations in Manipur against extension of ceasefire to all Naga inhabited areas, Assam welcomed a Naga Goodwill Visit, the Naga leaders, MPs and MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh, came to Chumukedima to meet with their fellow Nagas, and some Meitei leaders themselves expressed desire to meet with the Naga leaders. Researchers too from as far away as USA and Canada came to study the Naga Issue because they became interested. The Issue too was discussed in media fora like the BBC.
Ten years hence, it would seem that not much progress has been made in some areas while in others, because of the stagnancy, things appear to be sliding backwards. Of these, the main issue is still the inability of the various Naga groups to fully come together.
As a result, another year of earnest hoping for a final solution of the Naga Issue is coming to an end. The hope is still there that the magic and promise of Christmas and New Year season will still materialize in the much needed breakthrough and provide the necessary spark to ignite the much needed fire! However, one is also beginning to ask whether the Naga people’s hope will be postponed to a more future date although one still hopes the delay will not be for too long. What is clear is that although the GoI must do its part, the ball at this time, seems to be more in the Naga Court.
Let us be honest. Much of the delays have been due to our people’s inability (even refusal?) to shift gears to meet the challenges of the changing situation. This obstinacy in sticking to age-old positions seems to do mainly with the factions and their leaders. If so, it is not fair anymore for them to continue to be like that. The people have stood with them for so long and borne sacrifices without questioning and in silence even when they did not agree with certain decisions or happenings. It is now time for the factions and their leaders to make allowances with each other for the sake of the future of the Naga people.
It is quite clear that a Naga Solution will not come about without the cooperation and support of all Nagas. This has been a given from the very beginning. But our people, especially the factions, still seem unable to make allowances for each other for the sake of the Naga people as a whole. We talk Naga peoplehood or nationhood but we don’t seem willing to accept each other on equal footing. We talk Naga Democracy but we are frequently not willing for anyone to say anything that is contrary to our views or that of our group. We talk equality but everyone wants to be more equal than others. We talk justice but we are not willing to accept the rule of law when it does not suit us. We talk Christianity and reconciliation but these are often confined to the Church when they happen to come in touch with what we consider our pride, prestige, material gains and power sources. So, there is little surprise if we are not finding a proper solution to the Naga Issue. And since these “problems” are largely within the Naga Community/Society, should they not be helpable?
If we look a little beyond Naga society, what do we see? Our people often claim that Government of India and its agencies are exploiting the situation. They will if we create situations for such things to happen. What about Naga neighbours? The most immediate issue with neighbours now is with Manipur. It has been for some time but few have attempted to `journey’ beyond the Naga boundaries! Indeed, the only meeting point with the Meitei community seems to have been the road blockades and bandhs on the highways to Imphal. One understands the sentiments of the Nagas of Manipur. But one should also dispassionately observe what this may be achieving for the Nagas and their Cause! Consider, for example, the road blockades. The newspapers keep reporting how long the road blockades have gone on. What have they achieved? Scarcity in the Imphal valley. What else? Manipur has survived and surviving despite harsh conditions! On the other hand, the blockades have only managed to bring those opposed to Naga demands together besides winning sympathy for Manipuris across the country—today, they are even able to tell the GoI off! I am not saying the Nagas are responsible for all the ills of Manipur – God bless them, Manipuris have enough internal problems of their own! But Nagas must also be able to see the larger picture of neighbours as a whole and not just hold on to their hurts and focus on what Nagas can do to Manipur in the short term.
But we come back to the important issue of the Naga Talks with Government of India and how a final solution may be brought about. As the negotiations have not been revealed, one can only speculate what the problems might be and why a solution has still not emerged.
What is visible on the surface is that all the factions have still not come together. The issue is not about who is the stronger faction and who is the weaker or even who can do without whom. The issue is about Naga unity and finding a workable settlement that will last. This is what all Nagas want. And to do this everyone is needed.
The Nagaland Government and the different Overground political parties have stated time and again that they will facilitate a solution and step down once a proper settlement is worked out. So, the onus has been on the Underground factions to work out their differences. The bigness of heart from each group will decide the outcome. In the long run, no group is too powerful and no group is too insignificant. So, unless each group is included in some way, it is doubtful if a lasting and workable solution will emerge, given Naga realities. In this sense, the Naga situation has not shifted at all from the beginning when talks started and Nagas can blame no one but themselves for this.
It does not help to keep on maintaining old positions for the sake of playing to the Naga gallery when that gallery has long become disenchanted with the old tunes. Mainstream media in India has been reporting time and again that Naga Independence is out of the question, and even Naga integration in the way Nagas had been demanding is not possible anymore – There may have been a time when this was possible but that stage seems to be in the past now.
In such circumstances, what could Nagas do now? The only way out seems to be for all the Naga groups to come together, or to at least find a via media. A workable settlement has to be inclusive otherwise it will not work. This will mainly depend on the statesmanship of the NSCN-IM and its leadership who are presently in talks with GoI. If they rise to the occasion, they will have the satisfaction of bringing a settlement and peace to the Naga Issue – Naga history will also look more kindly at the faction and their leaders because whatever the past the future matters far more.
The second problem comes from the first. If all Naga groups are not included in the negotiations, or taken into confidence, then the group/s negotiating will be forced to find justification/s for the position/s they take. This must also find resonance with the position/s of those not included in the talks. This means putting up higher demands which the Government of India may find unacceptable. The result could be road blocks or deadlocks. While on this topic of including all Nagas, it is also important to include Overground leaders although this does not seem to be a problem at the moment. But it must be kept in mind that often Overground leaders have better touch with the people!
If the above are not possible or are not facilitated ultimately the issue may boil down to having a Naga referendum on the Naga Issue as suggested by Xavier Mao, in a slightly different context, in a seminar paper recently.
Apart from above problems, one does not see other complicated issues—if complications are there from the GoI’s side, they will become apparent once Nagas are united and speak with one voice. But Nagas must first deal with the issue of Naga disunity and their inability to come together (Can there be a “people” when they cannot come together?!). And all these complications lie in the court of the Naga people. If Naga people unite and speak with one voice, the Government of India will have little choice but to reply/respond to the Naga people! No one questions the original right of the Nagas to express their aspirations. The problem is what has happened since. And the question is whether Naga people tackle that with greatness and humanity?
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has been tirelessly working to bring Naga groups together. Reconciliation work belongs to all of us and all of us need forgiveness and reconciliation. There is no other way in the given Naga situation. The oft quoted statement of Bishop Desmond Tutu that “There is no future without forgiveness” is something Naga Christianity needs to focus more on. Once the fire of this spirit lights up in Naga hearts, may be, the torch of Naga hopes and future will also light up again.
In 2002, despite misunderstandings, even agitations in Manipur against extension of ceasefire to all Naga inhabited areas, Assam welcomed a Naga Goodwill Visit, the Naga leaders, MPs and MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh, came to Chumukedima to meet with their fellow Nagas, and some Meitei leaders themselves expressed desire to meet with the Naga leaders. Researchers too from as far away as USA and Canada came to study the Naga Issue because they became interested. The Issue too was discussed in media fora like the BBC.
Ten years hence, it would seem that not much progress has been made in some areas while in others, because of the stagnancy, things appear to be sliding backwards. Of these, the main issue is still the inability of the various Naga groups to fully come together.
As a result, another year of earnest hoping for a final solution of the Naga Issue is coming to an end. The hope is still there that the magic and promise of Christmas and New Year season will still materialize in the much needed breakthrough and provide the necessary spark to ignite the much needed fire! However, one is also beginning to ask whether the Naga people’s hope will be postponed to a more future date although one still hopes the delay will not be for too long. What is clear is that although the GoI must do its part, the ball at this time, seems to be more in the Naga Court.
Let us be honest. Much of the delays have been due to our people’s inability (even refusal?) to shift gears to meet the challenges of the changing situation. This obstinacy in sticking to age-old positions seems to do mainly with the factions and their leaders. If so, it is not fair anymore for them to continue to be like that. The people have stood with them for so long and borne sacrifices without questioning and in silence even when they did not agree with certain decisions or happenings. It is now time for the factions and their leaders to make allowances with each other for the sake of the future of the Naga people.
It is quite clear that a Naga Solution will not come about without the cooperation and support of all Nagas. This has been a given from the very beginning. But our people, especially the factions, still seem unable to make allowances for each other for the sake of the Naga people as a whole. We talk Naga peoplehood or nationhood but we don’t seem willing to accept each other on equal footing. We talk Naga Democracy but we are frequently not willing for anyone to say anything that is contrary to our views or that of our group. We talk equality but everyone wants to be more equal than others. We talk justice but we are not willing to accept the rule of law when it does not suit us. We talk Christianity and reconciliation but these are often confined to the Church when they happen to come in touch with what we consider our pride, prestige, material gains and power sources. So, there is little surprise if we are not finding a proper solution to the Naga Issue. And since these “problems” are largely within the Naga Community/Society, should they not be helpable?
If we look a little beyond Naga society, what do we see? Our people often claim that Government of India and its agencies are exploiting the situation. They will if we create situations for such things to happen. What about Naga neighbours? The most immediate issue with neighbours now is with Manipur. It has been for some time but few have attempted to `journey’ beyond the Naga boundaries! Indeed, the only meeting point with the Meitei community seems to have been the road blockades and bandhs on the highways to Imphal. One understands the sentiments of the Nagas of Manipur. But one should also dispassionately observe what this may be achieving for the Nagas and their Cause! Consider, for example, the road blockades. The newspapers keep reporting how long the road blockades have gone on. What have they achieved? Scarcity in the Imphal valley. What else? Manipur has survived and surviving despite harsh conditions! On the other hand, the blockades have only managed to bring those opposed to Naga demands together besides winning sympathy for Manipuris across the country—today, they are even able to tell the GoI off! I am not saying the Nagas are responsible for all the ills of Manipur – God bless them, Manipuris have enough internal problems of their own! But Nagas must also be able to see the larger picture of neighbours as a whole and not just hold on to their hurts and focus on what Nagas can do to Manipur in the short term.
But we come back to the important issue of the Naga Talks with Government of India and how a final solution may be brought about. As the negotiations have not been revealed, one can only speculate what the problems might be and why a solution has still not emerged.
What is visible on the surface is that all the factions have still not come together. The issue is not about who is the stronger faction and who is the weaker or even who can do without whom. The issue is about Naga unity and finding a workable settlement that will last. This is what all Nagas want. And to do this everyone is needed.
The Nagaland Government and the different Overground political parties have stated time and again that they will facilitate a solution and step down once a proper settlement is worked out. So, the onus has been on the Underground factions to work out their differences. The bigness of heart from each group will decide the outcome. In the long run, no group is too powerful and no group is too insignificant. So, unless each group is included in some way, it is doubtful if a lasting and workable solution will emerge, given Naga realities. In this sense, the Naga situation has not shifted at all from the beginning when talks started and Nagas can blame no one but themselves for this.
It does not help to keep on maintaining old positions for the sake of playing to the Naga gallery when that gallery has long become disenchanted with the old tunes. Mainstream media in India has been reporting time and again that Naga Independence is out of the question, and even Naga integration in the way Nagas had been demanding is not possible anymore – There may have been a time when this was possible but that stage seems to be in the past now.
In such circumstances, what could Nagas do now? The only way out seems to be for all the Naga groups to come together, or to at least find a via media. A workable settlement has to be inclusive otherwise it will not work. This will mainly depend on the statesmanship of the NSCN-IM and its leadership who are presently in talks with GoI. If they rise to the occasion, they will have the satisfaction of bringing a settlement and peace to the Naga Issue – Naga history will also look more kindly at the faction and their leaders because whatever the past the future matters far more.
The second problem comes from the first. If all Naga groups are not included in the negotiations, or taken into confidence, then the group/s negotiating will be forced to find justification/s for the position/s they take. This must also find resonance with the position/s of those not included in the talks. This means putting up higher demands which the Government of India may find unacceptable. The result could be road blocks or deadlocks. While on this topic of including all Nagas, it is also important to include Overground leaders although this does not seem to be a problem at the moment. But it must be kept in mind that often Overground leaders have better touch with the people!
If the above are not possible or are not facilitated ultimately the issue may boil down to having a Naga referendum on the Naga Issue as suggested by Xavier Mao, in a slightly different context, in a seminar paper recently.
Apart from above problems, one does not see other complicated issues—if complications are there from the GoI’s side, they will become apparent once Nagas are united and speak with one voice. But Nagas must first deal with the issue of Naga disunity and their inability to come together (Can there be a “people” when they cannot come together?!). And all these complications lie in the court of the Naga people. If Naga people unite and speak with one voice, the Government of India will have little choice but to reply/respond to the Naga people! No one questions the original right of the Nagas to express their aspirations. The problem is what has happened since. And the question is whether Naga people tackle that with greatness and humanity?
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has been tirelessly working to bring Naga groups together. Reconciliation work belongs to all of us and all of us need forgiveness and reconciliation. There is no other way in the given Naga situation. The oft quoted statement of Bishop Desmond Tutu that “There is no future without forgiveness” is something Naga Christianity needs to focus more on. Once the fire of this spirit lights up in Naga hearts, may be, the torch of Naga hopes and future will also light up again.
