The Pan-Naga: Naga Ministers and MLAs in Manipur

Dr. Thohe Pou / Shairei Soro / Ephrii Pfoze *

In the process of our struggle for sovereignty – there were many ups and down due to weaknesses of our own leaders – opposed by our own Naga people and by other people. However, we will continue to struggle till we find an honorable solution. We cannot stop our struggle due to some weaknesses of one or two leaders – oppose by our own Naga people or oppose by other people. Nagas have every right to self-determination and nobody can deny this.

Who will expect Dr. SC Jamir to join with the ruling party to support the ongoing peace-talks? But in Nagaland State, both the ruling and opposition party are now working together to pressurize the GOI to speed up the peace-talks. The Joint Legislative Forum (JLF) consisting of 60 MLAs in present Nagaland State went to Delhi twice to support and pressurize the GOI to speed up the peace-talks. But the mission of some Naga Ministers and MLAs in Manipur is just opposite.

The Union Home Minister Shinde talking to CMs of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal have awakened once again the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal. However, when the NSCN-IM leader – Th. Muivah said that the ball is now in the court of Govt. of India to decide – the people who are against solving the Naga political problem feel delighted – while the Naga people feel little puzzled as the earlier news reported – NSCN-IM leaders coming for home consultation – Isak Chisi also said some years back that they will come home for home consultation before the final settlements.

The Govt. of Manipur under the leadership of CM Ibobi Singh with other 6 members went to Delhi to confirm the news and to decline the proposal made by Home Minister Shinde. The Home coming Consultation with the Naga Hoho – the apex body of the Naga people and the Naga United Council is proving that the final settlement of Naga political problem is near – though the result of their meeting was not confided to the press in details.

The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting the Union Home Minister in Delhi and its details news is also not reported. However, the CLP going back to Delhi to protest against the proposal and mobilizing the Assam and Arunachal Chief Minister clearly shows and proved that Pan-Naga is likely to happen very soon. The NSF President advising the NBBC youth wing not to go ahead with the peace rally also herald the coming of Naga political solution is also near. If we read the whole news and observed carefully every movement and activities of the Naga leaders, one can understand that the Naga political solution is very near.

As one observed and analyzed the present political scenario, it is interesting to note that still some of the Naga leaders who do not support and cooperate the Naga political problem to be solved continue to resist and protest directly or indirectly. It is also quite interesting to observe that the Joint Legislative Forum (JLF) Nagaland went to Delhi to support peace-talks and pressurize GOI to speed up the peace-talks. However, some of the Naga Ministers and MLAs in Manipur (under CLP leadership) went to Delhi to protest against the peace-talks and against solving the Naga political problem.

Some people may say that let them decide their fate after the Naga political solution comes. However, we love our Naga Ministers and MLAs to decide their future before our Naga people ignore them. A story in the Bible says that Noah took 120 years to build an Ark and many people used to laugh and mock at him. Even on the day of entering the Ark – just before the flood came – many people did not believe what Noah has said and they continue to mock and laugh at him. In a similar way, some of our own Naga people may mock and laugh at our leaders and Naga peace-talks, but the final settlement is near as reported in the news and also observing the movement and activities of the Naga leaders.

When the Naga political solution comes, and when the Nagas in Manipur set up a separate Administrative Unit: Will the Naga Ministers and MLAs in Manipur join with the mainstream Naga people as they are now directly or indirectly opposing to solve Naga political solution? Or will they remain with Ibobi Singh Govt.? Will the Naga leaders accept them as good opposition leaders or will they flatly snub their present from our Naga community?

The Naga will continue to struggle for our sovereignty or whatever is considered as an honorable solution even without those Naga Ministers and MLAs in Manipur or anyone from other states or place. However, it will be better if they also join with the main stream Naga people and work together to solve the Naga political problem. Our Naga leaders have been pleading every Naga to work together – one time may be due to ignorant and poor vision – two times may be due to their selfish motive and love for power and fame. But the third time can’t be because of ignorance, lack of vision or love for fame and power – it can be considered as the intentional act against the interest of the main stream.

It would be good if our Ministers and MLAs will work together for our Naga people. However, if they have different mission and ideology, it may be difficult to convince anyone. Sometime our Naga Ministers and MLAs also need to open their head, eyes and ears to study the things happening around us, and if they and their political mentors do not know what is happening around them – they may also ask from other people. However, it may be best to consider that you are so ignorant on the present political scenario, and if you are not so ignorant then you are directly or indirectly against solving the Naga political problem peacefully.