Naga Leadership : Where is it heading? Where is it taking us ?

Dr Nelson Vashum *

Nephiu Rio campaigning for NPF candidates in Manipur's Hill districts in January 2012
Pix - Deepak Oinam

The recent announcement of Mr. Soso Lorho as the candidate for the Outer Parliamentary constituency of Manipur by the Naga People's Front (NPF) following the assessment of the 'Search Committee' has definitely raised many eyebrows. This announcement which apparently was made after a "tireless and extremely well researched" search has even evoked a sense of sarcasm among the people.

One cannot cease to wonder what wisdom was used by the search committee and central party office when they spent "sleepless nights" to nominate Mr. Soso Lorho as their candidate. There is no point in stating the obvious but something is really amiss in this whole process. The hypocrisy stands out for all to see.

What are we really aiming for? What are our politicians and representatives really trying to do? Is it all really about victory for the Naga people? Or for few leaders to have the satisfaction of pleasing themselves?

I ask again what would have really encouraged the people. Could it not have been a bold and courageous new step of listening to the collective voices of people crying for change? Or listening to various groups who for the first time came together from different sectors uniting to support a man known for his integrity and concern to really bring change to the people?

Whether victory was gained or not, the unity and the collective effort to bring change alone would have been a great leap forward – something that hasn't been seen in such a long time; Especially when this whole process was backed by looking to God for His will and guidance.

It saddens me that our leaders failed to acknowledge this desire of the very people they claim to represent. What confounds me is the wisdom shown in nominating Mr Lorho - especially when I remember the incidents of Operation Blue bird 27 years ago – a tragic and trying time for all our people.

During 1987 to 1988, the people of Poumai area were subjected to human right abuse of the worst form – by the Indian Army under the infamous code – Operation Bluebird. The operation was in retaliation to the ransacking of Indian Army camp at Oinam by the Naga Army (NSCN - IM). This retaliation proved very costly to the innocent villagers of this area.

Many women were molested and raped. Many were tortured and some died in the process. Some survived the barbaric tortures but remained crippled for life. Much of the property were looted and destroyed. The gruesome operation lasted many months with curfews and complete monitoring of all activities by the Army. This severely hampered normal life and the financial loss was great.

The magnitude of the barbaric atrocities committed by the Indian Army was documented by a team who visited to conduct a health camp for the women of those villages at Purul Akutpa in March 1989. During those camps, because of the curfew, free movement was prohibited but victims still came forward to talk about their harrowing experiences. The team comprised of Dr (Mrs) Joyce from Bangalore, 2 PG students of the Psychiatry Department of Nilratan Medical College, Calcutta and myself.

We helped and treated around 160 victims. These victims were also interviewed and their responses documented. These documentations reflected some of the first ever known cases of Post Traumatic/Torture Stress Syndrome from North East India. The findings were later published in April 1989 and also presented in the International Amnesty Congress in Washington in 1990.

Although I can recount terrible instances of brutality, I wish to focus on just one aspect and that is the conduct and response of Mr Soso Lorho, who was the then cabinet minister for Health in the Government of Manipur. Despite repeated requests by the villagers and people, he never visited the people or offered any comfort to them.

Why was his response this way? I cannot answer but hearing this from the people we interviewed and their pain and their tragedy although innocent was really saddening. I wonder what prevented Mr Lorho to make a visit when even the then CM Mr Rishang Keishing took a stand to confront the Army and the Central Government and eventually had to give up his post as Chief Minister.

For me these memories are indeed painful. Anyone would be right in asking me why bring all this up now? The answer is simple. Our political leaders have somehow in their wisdom decided to nominate Mr Lorho and are now asking us all to support him. I have serious doubts on the judgement of the NPF leadership.

I doubt in their wisdom of appointing Mr Lorho to fulfil the responsibility of representing us, our dreams and aspirations. He is to once again prove his credibility to us all. I am not sure if this nomination warrants such loyal support. Not when so many suffered and died during Operation Blue bird.

I hold no personal grudge against anyone but my heart is burdened to stand for what is right. People still remember and suffer from the past atrocities. I write on their behalf as well. This is what I believe is expected of me by my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I ask the question again – where is our leadership taking us?

May we once again rethink on what it means to live for Jesus and as Nagalim for Christ.
God bless us all.

Thank you.