Much has been discussed and debated on the so called ' THE NAGA ISSUE'. Claims and counter claims have been the order . One of the conflict concerns the question of secession of territories of Manipur to form so called 'The Greater Nagaland or Nagalim'.

The solution to this may lie within Manipur.

This is not to undermine the role of Delhi. However, the quest for solution must begin with an introspection into the history--- to understand the present and to see the future.

For a solution, if any, we must recall the forces which has produced the issue in the first place.

Perhaps it calls for a journey into the nature of the interethnic relations the Meeteis have had through out the history of conquest, domination and defeats and subjugations; history a keen witness to Manipuri racial arrogance and practices, characteristics of a dominant tribes in relation to dominated tribes.

This perhaps is a universal practices and excusable, at all, by this reason alone. However some of the customs and traditions, rituals, linguistic jargons prevalent even today bear a testimony to such an ignoble history and their practices and prevalence even today is unexcusable, if any.

Put simply , can we think of Hindu religion without caste system---pure and impure, touchable and untouchable. With such practices Manipur is indeed blessed enough to contain the cataclisis of territory thus far.

Fortunately such practices are almost extinct but, unfortunately, memories of the social barrier thus created have percolated down through the generations and the Naga issue is in part sympathetic of psychological backlash of a wrong community.

One may asked, what about the Kukis and other ethnic groups. I leave for the readers to ponder upon.

The Meeteis, being a major community, must beacon the added responsibility of magnanimously accommodating the interests and the genuine concern of the other ethnic groups. This is not to say that the call for the fragmentation of territory must be appeased.

But then, self righteous ivory tower intellectuals making diatribe againsts the Naga movement would do no good towards the cause for territorial integrity.

Throughout my educational years, I have had the opportunity to interact with my tribal brethren. And consequently, I have also had the privilege of listening to their heart felt accusation of Meeteis siphoning off all the developmental funds to the valley areas. This is one reason often sited in the complain cause for Greater Nagaland.

Rather than sweeping the question under the carpet, one has to understand the context in which the accusation has been made. The developmental role of Govt. includes among others, provision of clean drinking water, compulsory primary education, enhancing connectivity and providing electricity to every village.

Keeping the constraints of resourceless economy in mind ,we might well counterpose if the valley areas have benifitted substantially in comparison to the hills, in any area of development activity.

Disproportional allocation of funds and available resources have to be seen along the larger picture of geographical constraints and feasibility and not as a prejudiced policy towards racial segregation. In any case .. Tribal areas , funds , strong measures to check corrupt practices by some in the politics, bureaucratic set up transcending tribal affliation is an urgent requirement.

Bringing out the transparency in governance and ensuring accountability of the polticians through proper channels would do well to diffuse mutual suspicions.

In relation to this , I would like to mention that the state of economic development in Nagaland too, is wired in regional imbalances and reflects the overall picture of north-east India. Villages in far flung areas in Nagaland are no better than their Manipur counterparts.

The notion of enhanced development upon merger of Naga inhabited territories needs serious contemplation. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE FROM ANY QUARTER TO THIS EFFECT.

Another major aspect of the Naga Issue is the question of the so called the Naga identity. Who is a Naga ? or Who are Nagas ? The Naga as an ethnic group is still in its evolutionary stage.

During the creation of the state of Nagaland in 1963, the Naga population stood at 12.5 lakh with the total number of Naga tribes quoted at eight. Today, an official document published by the state of Nagaland asserts that 16 Naga tribes inhabit Nagaland.

The Naga insurgents, with a far greater stake in consolidating the people, quote 43 Naga tribes as constituents of the Naga nation.

However, Naga civic organizations like the Hoho and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights(NPMHR) state there are 3.5 to 4 million Nagas and consists of 42 differrent tribes. Thus, identity formation along with Naga nationalism are ongoing projects in the Naga political discourse.

History of mankind is full of states built on the illusory edifice of commonality of language or religion only to be torn apart by internal strife. The history of Pakistan(east&west) and Yugoslavia would be eye opener to the quest for a Greater Nagaland.

'We are a nation', Jinnah affirmed three years before the birth of Pakistan, 'with our own distinctive culture and literature, art and architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of values and proportion, legal laws and moral codes, customes and calender, history and tradition, aptitude and ambitions-in short ,we have our own distinctive outlook in life.'

As his biographer commented, 'When Jinnah defined Muslim nationhood in such tangible terms, every muslim found himself testifying to the justice of this claim, and subscribing to the logical corollary of the fact and recognition of separate Muslim nationhood viz. the demand for a Muslim homeland.

The irony in creation of Pakistan, in blood and turmoil, was Jinnah betrayed the Muslim living in central India in the name of nationalism. Pakistan was to be created in western provinces, agitating Muslims where from Central India. Jinnah became the Father of Pakistan and Muslims in India become the most insecure citizen in their own country.

Mr. Muivah(undoubtedly, the Father of Greater Nagaland, if ever created) and Naga(s) should reflect upon the present state of Pakistan in the light of the above statements( of Jinnah ). Rather than riding high on a wave of imaginary and illusionary goals, the Nagas of Manipur need to focus on the real and urgent issues of economic well being.

The issue is thus complex and if not handled rationally and sensibly ,the region might become the theatre of cataclysm. Territorial integrity can be achieved only where there is integrity of the people. If the people are divided, so would the territory.

Meeteis should seriously reflect upon their past, their customs and derogatory practices and endeavour to bring about a fundamental change in stucture of the society and their psyche and attitude.

The hills and valleys had shared hundreds of years of a common history. We can still go on together focusing on the real issues of basic human amenities, infrastructures and economic development. We should strive for true liberal democracy, where representatives are held accountable for their actions.

The educated youths and NGOs should come forward and work for a rational ideological shift towards humanism and utilitarianism. Inter group organizations should be set up to facilitate interactions and dessiminate the ideas of fraternity, peace and unity.

And not to forget, the role of both formal and informal academe and mass media.

The land belongs to each one of us. Misunderstandings and mutual suspiscions both real and imaginary, need to be dealt with. A major issue such as this should not be allowed to become an instrument amongst selfish(self-style) leaders to forever hog the limelight.