S Varah
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e are a people, we are a government. We do not live in no body’s land; we possessively and rightfully inherit it from our fathers. Our fathers have been faithful stewards, always remembering that God is their Land Lord and they, tenants; and on that basis Nagas are safe. This is our right eternal. All demarcations/boundaries apart from the established boundary since ancient times are unacceptable hence, not negotiable too. Any government, any outside system imposed upon this inherently claimed is, therefore, comes in conflict with Natural Right of the Naga people. That was the disagreement that had beset tensions between the invaders and the Nagas. This is still the reason, for which diligent and committed negotiation was first, albeit, belatedly realized by Indian leaders, to say: ‘We have realized the futility of seeking military solution.’ Political talks between two separate peoples to have been brought around for honourable, acceptable solution to both is not a little achievement. This must be honoured and aggressively made serious use of.Who is this ‘One Nation” is not questioned and confusing. Every Naga loves to be a Naga. This present Nagaland state does never give us another better identity other than being what we used to be and, we will be forever! We owe, therefore, what is to ‘Naga’s-Land, and not present ‘Nagaland.’
Second: Who the Government of India declares ceasefire with in the first place, is never the issue; that is known and recognized. ‘We’, (GOI) in the person of former Prime Minister said: “know who they (the other political groups) are; the issue is not with them. We will talk to you (Naga leaders who met Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in Zurich — in a lead up to declaration of ceasefire in 1997). This statement of Congress led government in the person of late Prime Minister Narasimha Rao did sum up---should GOI live up to her standard---making other assertions framed up stories naughtily confusing the common majority and some befooled and deceived quarter, besetting this state of affairs Nagas are unwillingly in. Isn’t this the idea of one of ACAUT’s rally recommendations to support the current peace process between the GOI and the Naga leaders for lasting peace following settlement?
Present Nagaland state recognizes only 16 tribes leaving more than 40 other Naga tribes in different unfortunate situations, and said ‘Nagaland is the best thing to have happened for the Nagas.’ It is the worst thing to have come around along with the passing phase of time and history for a People like the Nagas. From the depth of every Naga who can seriously imagine on the ultimate of Naga future, the birth of Naga Hoho was a real gospel. Naga Hoho straddles across territories dividing Naga ancestral inheritance. The strength of this Naga collective parliament lies in its denizens’ village republic, not in those subordinate bodies which have been brought into being to, among others, sustain Naga Hoho’s belief and to actively protect, preserve and democratically demand rights of the Nagas where they are being constantly attacked and exploited within their present unwanted situations and locations.
UNC, ENPO and just-given-birth NTC will never authorize for a newer and better identity to the Nagas. Any ambition to authenticate any Indian state for individual benefit interferes with Naga original claim as distinct and indigenous people and nationhood, hence.
Finally: being upright in political principle does not authorize any Naga leader, follower or for that matter, a political front, to take human laws in his/her/their own hand to pass judgement over human persons, perfunctorily brushing away opinion or the right to differ when any Naga is integral part of this ‘Movement’ that has impartially and critically impacted on the ‘right to live’ as equal creation of God. It is blasphemous to insert the name of God in our Naga’s right to be a free Nation and rob their growth in all human fronts and rapaciously build individual homestead. This is a real affront to the sanctity of this most expensive and terrible war of resistance. Every Naga political leader must admit the truth that new and better idea/precept, this young Naga generation or would-be Naga leader, does not deserve to inherit the old and past differences among leaders gone. While Nagas shall always salute all Naga leaders both of past and present for giving the young generation undeletable history, reinforced promise and sustained hope on the line of Naga Peoplehood/Nationhood, present leaders instead of being stagnated to their own status quo, should, for a nobler reason and promise, be magnanimous and appreciate to come down to the frantic feelings of the upcoming generation to become themselves the bridge, so that this ‘new Naga’ may not painfully relive the past with the same old and endemic anxiety. Provision of huge packages for solution without an exit route when Nagas differ to honourably bow out will push back the entire peace process to square one. God bless all political leaders of both the Nagas and the GOI! May all of their lives be prolonged to experience the final touch! Ura uvie!
