To Rethink

Pr Haomei *

Dimapur rally against UG taxation on October 31 2013 :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

In the backdrop of continued infightings and confusions in our land and the resulting loss of countless precious lives of our own, and further, in the present scenario of malicious strategy of segregation played against us by none other than our own brethren, I'm deeply moved and compelled to spell out my humble thoughts though I'm the least of my people and handicapped in many ways.

The emerging politics of the nagas, as presented by the media, are so far, to be candid, not so encouraging. No matter how much we wanted to believe the other way round, we cannot deny what is happening. The statement of Mr. Rahul Gandhi to the visiting delegates of NSF "...there are too many stakeholders..." and the unfolding drama of division and defiance in the home turf of Nagas clearly implies that all is not well with the politics of the naga nationalism.

For instance, the frustration of ENPO (Eastern Nagaland People Organisation) manifested in the demand for separate State for themselves, accusing the Nagaland Govt. of neglecting them with step-motherly treatment, the formation of NTC with deep implication against the nagas from outside the state of Nagaland, the mammoth rally of ACAUT in Dimapur despite ban imposed by NSCN IM, the statement of NSCN IM that GOI lacks 'political will' to resolve the naga issue, all these indicated that the politics of naga nationalism is in great turmoil. The greatest blow comes from our own brethren, the nagas of nagaland, who fervently favoured the NTC (Nagaland Tribes Council) which was triggered and conceived as a result of discontentment and malice against the recognition of Rongmei tribe in Nagaland.

The solidarity of nagas are now disputable. One can easily comprehend that naga societies are heading down the path of destruction. As Mr. Niketo Iralu during a leadership conference in Jalukie Town related of how a manipuri and assamese friends told him, "The nagas are fortunate to have a leaders who asserted their rights in the right time because of which the nagas have their history." and "Nagas don't need anybody to destroy them because they are already destroying themselves." How true and ironic!

In the face of mounting pressures and humiliation perpetrated by the nagas of Nagaland against the "outsider nagas" and the weakening politics of naga nationalism, the time has come for every conscious nagas, especially the so called 'Nagas of Manipur', to review the noble aspiration initiated by our foregone leaders. Here, we must not forget that the challenges of our time and that of our forefathers must not be equated as we lived in a circumstances and condition that is not same anymore when our foregone leaders set their vision and goal. They responded according to the challenges of their time.

Likewise, we must respond according to the needs of our time. In our transitional world where values of lives are ever changing, what is considered good or bad yesterday may not be the same today. Nagas of Nagaland are evidently complacent enough; spoon-fed by the appeasing hands of the highly advanced GOI. They don't even seem to have the moral obligation of acknowledging the supreme sacrifices of other naga tribes outside the present state of Nagaland. Some of them even dare to insult and accuse the "outsider nagas" as parasites and beggars, as if the "outsiders" were depriving them of their privileges.

Nagas from outside the state of Nagaland are humiliated with malicious intention. Nagas from 'outside' have no recourse but to spell out the tingling historical truth. That, we are no gold digger. That, we have honour and pride as well as any human races. That, we have our own land and ate whatever bread we earned. That, we are not looking to Nagaland for our stomach. Instead, nagas of Nagaland are the ones who are enjoying the fats of appeasement policy proffered by the GOI and accepted by the 'betrayers' who sold the birthright of the whole nagas through the 16th Points Agreement and the subsequent creation of Nagaland as the 16th States of the Indian union, leaving out much more than half of the whole nagas, and thereby shattering the noble aspiration of the nagas whereas the unfortunate nagas from outside the present State of Nagaland is continually defending the legacy and honour of our foregone leaders. But it is very unfortunate that the spirit of nationalism and the binding force of solidarity is waning and weakened. Nationalists seems to be losing the fervour and mandate bestowed upon them by the people too.

My point is, besides the conspicuous disunity between rival underground factions since many years, the disunity amongst many sections of naga people are also self-evident by now, though in reality, the seed of division had been sown since the acceptance and materialisation of 16th Points Agreement. Here, it may be mentioned, many naga scholars are pointing out that the real culprit of naga capitulation is not the 'Shillong Accord' but the '16th Points Agreement'.

So, what do we do now? Should we continue to fight for what was once a brightly lit vision, but that has now dimmed and drown in the sea of confusion and disunity? Is all the trouble worth the risk that has now taken an uncertain route? It is regrettable that individual tribes such as; Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Npuimei was intimidated to discontinue, against their will, their aspiration for "Homeland" under ZPC and manipulated into joining the wave of "Naga National Movement". But look at us now, "Gannam tam ni tulamak, tunah theini lailamak" is almost applicable to zeliangrong/haomei people now. Time has come for our people and our leaders to review and reflect upon the present situation lest our people will be consumed by the confused ideologies and politics.

In this context, I would like to suggest that the zeliangrong/haomei people must be a prepared people, we must develop a sort of political strategy lest we be taken by surprise. Whatever the outcome of the naga national politics is, it won't hurt but it will be to our advantage to have a strong and united civil organisation of our kindred tribes. Otherwise, we are sure to miss out. Any solution without us is not for us: A naga solution without addressing important issues of the zeliangrong/haomei people is not a solution for zeliangrong/haomei people in practicality.

Embracing all kindred tribes, it will be better to have a strong civil organisation instead of dancing to the frenzy of "Naga, naga..." slogans when nagas of Nagaland like NTC are heaping all sort of insults, humiliation and fumigatory strategy that crosses their mind. For instance, we could revive the age old concept of "Haomei or Hamei..." which was based on historical facts and affinity of kindred tribes.

I'm partly apprehensive that this humble concept may be misread as anti-national rumbling, but in my comprehension, though limited, I think this is the real nationalist view. A humble analysis which I thought will salvage our people regardless of whether naga national politics fail or succeed. In fact, this will serve the purpose of naga nationalism even better. Afterall, nationalism when break down to its rudiment is all about the people. It lost its fundamental reason if all the people are destroy in its process.

No sane person will prefer to take his meal with muddy hands and dusty cloths on. Before the plate is serve he will clean himself first. Let me take leave by posing this question: Are we ready for naga solution? How?

Long live, the people
Zeliangrong Makaam Haomei, Ringtelo!