On June 13, 2016 a highly agitated NSCN (IM) dubbed ACAUT as a “nuisance”. Since this ‘nuisance’ title is being bestowed on ACAUT against the backdrop of exposures related to an obnoxious subject of unreasonable taxation by all the NPGs with NSCN (IM) as the flagship and the prevalent general corruption in the non-transparent working system within the State Government...ACAUT ought to feel extremely honoured for this distinction like it was receiving a prestigious National award.
What is however rather difficult to comprehend is the arrogant uncompromising stance of a dictatorial NCSN (IM), trapped in a time zone of the past that no longer is in tune with the present reality. That a tame, compliant Naga tribal representation exists within the ranks of NSCN (IM) is acknowledged...but that these other tribal presence purely serving the purpose of a cosmetic window dressing is also clear for all to see. That this organization is exclusively dominated by our brothers from south of the boarder in all matters that matter, is an equally undeniably fact. The knowledge that the entire Naga populace have shared the same living space with Dracula organizations in silent fear, preferring to suffer their very lifeline being remorselessly drained out of them every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year...for more than half a century ... is the wonder of wonders that either describes the inbuilt mega level of patience or the mega level of cowardice in the Naga race. It speaks volumes about the true colour of Naga courage that we often over-extenuate elsewhere beyond our boundary but disappears as we crawl into our own little holes, idol worshiping AK 47 in our own backyard with fear. On the one hand, no one wants to raise any legitimate questions against greed mandated irrational multiple taxations in the name of ‘sovereignty’ and ‘integration’... which NSCN (IM) have effectively given up on and publically affirmed by no less a personality than Mr. Muivah himself. On the other hand if NSCN (IM) is actually living amongst the people in our part of the planet, they ought to have at least been getting honest feedbacks against all their cold blooded merciless acts of extortion and against their arrogant inability to climb down from their high horse and facilitate a united front without expecting other factions to kneel before them first for unity under them. NSCM (IM) must now explain their legitimacy behind the continuation of taxing the people if ‘sovereignty’ and ‘integration’ is no longer an issue. Pray enlighten the masses: What other Nagas aspirations remain unfulfilled for NSCN (IM) to sustain this taxation madness? Pray tell us what other substantial Naga ID is being attempted to be salvaged beyond what 16-PA/ Article-371 (A) have already accomplished? Instead of controlling and streamlining their abnormal extortion policies that have crippled the masses, they turn around to curse, threaten, insult and ban ACAUT for being the mouthpiece of the downtrodden common man and for exposing their insane lust for money in the name of ‘sovereignty’ and ‘integration’ that no longer is relevant in their national agenda. That the younger generation of Nagas are the ones paying a costly price for their hypocrisy is not even a subject of their concern. The Government of Nagaland has reached a saturation point in not being able to absorb all the educated youngsters into government service except through non-transparent, despicable ‘backdoor’ appointments of the privileged few with political or bureaucratic connections against non-existing posts. Under such helpless circumstances, each youngster trying their level best to eke out a modest honourable living through private entrepreneurship are being faced with serious roadblocks leading to business failure because of the irrational greed induced multiple taxation/extortion being imposed on them without exception by the NSCN (IM)...along with their equally ravenous factional ‘sovereignty warrior’ counterparts. The economy of our common people is withering under the uncompromising soil of NPG taxations. Can a picture of depraved ‘national’ future be more vividly and pathetically painted than this with a handicapped younger generation being forced into choice-less penury?
The Nagas have become accustomed to the forked tongue diplomacy of the Indian Government. They have entered into agreement after agreements with the Nagas over the years many of which have unilaterally been dishonoured even before the ink is dry. One wonders therefore, what will be the fate of this “Framework Agreement” when they run into rough patches on the road. Very technically speaking, this agreement has not been signed with the Government of India proper but with an Interlocutor who at best is a nonentity postman to the Prime Minister... nowhere in the hierarchical food chain of accountability within a legitimate Government of India. The once loftily flaunted ‘agreement’ that the talk would be conducted in a Third Country, at the Prime Ministerial level has been reduced to our own backyard negotiation and agreement with a nonentity retired bureaucrat. That the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of India were in attendance to watch this effacing escapade only confirms the status of the so-called ‘framework agreement’ to be an agreement within the Indian Constitution just as much as ‘Shillong Accord 1975’ or the 16 PA was. If one wants to get critical, one can very well comment that Mr. Th. Muivah ought to have exercised self-restraint by observing honourable protocol as per the earlier laid down ‘understanding’ to settle matters at the Prime Ministerial level and let someone below him sign this “Framework Agreement” instead. But it obviously seems that his ‘super ego radar’ must have been under repair at that time. Some would say Mr. Th. M signing this document himself with an Interlocutor on the other side of the table has significantly reduced the Naga National status ... but the Nagas are trying their best to refrain from saying so. But Mr. M continues to add insults to injury by his refusal to share the contents of the “Framework” with his own people that he claims to represent and only demand for a blind faith endorsement... which he has in fact received from the spineless, brainless unquestioning minority. The NSCN (IM) appears to actively be leading the Nagas down the political stairs a step at a time while the rest of our NPGs have been sitting on the fence all these years under ‘cease fire’ comfort zone with absolutely nothing to write home about besides their pathetic taxation stories. While our factional sovereignty warriors are adamantly unprepared to unite for a common political cause, they are united in upholding a common financial obsession of bleeding the masses... forcing the people to climb their respective ‘out of control’ taxation staircase at gun point. Where is the rationality in all of this? It is up to the unfortunate Nagas born into the present generation as ‘beasts of burden’ to “sovereign greed” of our NPGs who must wake up and answer this question by action. ACAUT is only trying to ring the alarm bell for all to wake up to champion the cause of UNITY of the Nagas for all our sakes!
Therefore, instead of wasting everyone’s time threatening and banning ACAUT, the NSCN (IM) should pragmatically accept reality that the future of the Nagas is not their exclusive preserve to decide: If they (NSCN-IM) is unable to bring home sovereignty/integration...most tax fatigued Nagas could very well unbuckle and say “so be it”... provided the final settlement is arrived at with the blessing of every faction as equals. Failing to see this will invariably lead Nagas to another civil war. It is a standard expected retaliatory reaction of NSCN (IM) to camouflage their lesser ways with threats. They continue to insult ACAUT as an Indian Agent. ACAUT has absolutely no hidden agenda and can only be described as true Naga Nationalists; ACAUT sincerely appealing to all NPGs to unite for the greater good of the Nagas may sound treasonous to the southern ears and agendas of NSCN (IM),...but the bottom-line belief of ACAUT has been that Nagas are prepared to pay any honourable National tax as long as all factions are united to achieve one united sovereignty or else a united solution. Without this united effort it is a futile exercise of fooling the people for the self- gratification of their own species. NSCN (IM) should know that ACAUT is not an NGO. It is a people’s movement just being helped along by a handful of young committed people... morally binding themselves to stay the course till the people of Nagaland find their pride and their courage to make the difference. Threaten a people’s sentiment being represented by ACAUT and NSCN (IM) must face the wrath of all the tribes. Mukalimi would then be peanuts in comparison.
District ACAUT wings of Wokha, Phek and even Tuli sub-division have shown true grit and courage in helping and mobilising the common men to find their manly feet in their respective sectors. It is a challenging time and all of them deserve a pat on the back and the people’s unreserved appreciation and support. Kudos to a nuisance called ACAUT!
Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd)
Upper Forest Colony, Kohima
E-mail: kksema@gmail.com
