Wati Longchar
After the 25th August ACUAT sponsored rally in Dimapur, many bloggers are engaged in debate over the issues of`Civil War’ and `Corruption’ especially in social media. In print media, NSCN (IM)office has accused speaker, especially KK Sema(and also Joel Naga)as abettor of civil war. KK Semaand Joel Naga have responded that there would be a civil war if NSCN (IM) and GoI decide to conclude the negotiated settlement without officially including the other NNPG Factions of Nagaland as equals. Some bloggers have even accused that ACUAT has gone beyond people’s mandate of corruption by touching the Naga political issue. But I see both issues differently.
The `Civil War’ can be interpreted in different ways. For me, civil war is already going on for many decades now in all Naga inhabited areas. One should not forget public outrage in Mokokchung, Zuneboto, and burning of many houses in Dimapur, to name a few incidents in the recent past. They are done by the people against their own people. How many civilians have been killed, beaten up, threatened, tortured, robbed, houses were burned down to ashes, raped and molested? – both by Indian army and factional groups. Thousands of people. How many soldiers on both sides have died? Without respect of human dignity, some of them have committed worst crimes against humanity. When people are killed without any trail, do you think there is no civil war? Factional groups have been chasing each others like animals for years and how many people have lost their lives? How many families have been affected and inflicted pains by this civil war? Bloodshed that had happened and happening now should not be forgotten. People continue to live in fear and uncertainty without hope. This is called civil war, or undeclared war among the people. What kind of civil war are we talking about? Are the bloggers visualizing similar kind of civil war that is taking place in the Middle East countries? Let us pray that the present civil war among the Nagas is not further accelerated like in the Middle East. Let us pray that civil war between different tribes, factional groups are not intensified further in the name of Naga settlement. I am happy that KK Sema and Joel Naga for cautioning this impending danger in Naga society.
Some bloggers have been critical of some ACUAT rally speakers on Naga political issue saying that corruption and political issues are different and they should have not spoken on the Naga political issue. Again, for me, it depends on how one defines it. We should note that ACUAT was born out of multiple taxes especially by different factional groups. From the very inception, ACUAT has been speaking against corruptors in both within Nagaland government and federal government. Corruption in public life includes not only misuse of Government funds and backdoor appointment, but it also includes abuse, misuse of power, manipulation, extortion, misguiding and threatening of innocent people. They are all part of corruption and we need to see corrupt practices within the larger context. We need to address corruption in the political, economic and religious life in totality. Narrow approach to corruption will not solve the problem. Are Naga factional groups free from this? If not, to speak out, challenge and criticize the Naga factional groups is the legitimate right of every Naga. Seeing many factional groups and fighting among them, I have said at one point that “Underground movement is like an industry in Nagaland.” We need to acknowledge that factionalism has nurtured corruption in many ways because of protection given by them to the corruptors. We should receive the criticism of the people positively to strengthen people’s movement for justice. Let us not threaten each other; it will not do anything good for our future.
ACUAT has done a tremendous work in creating awareness on corruption. They have exposed many corrupt practices and corruptors. One should know that the lack of people’s movement is one of the reasons why politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats, and even freedom fighters freely steal and misuse public money in Nagaland and elsewhere. ACUAT is the first people’s movement in Nagaland addressing the corruption issue and I am sure it will contribute much in transforming our society. As humans we have our own limitations and failures, and let us not look at those negative aspect only, but let us appreciate the courageous act and sacrifice making by ACUAT for the Naga society. Let us encourage and support them.
FA has been discussing for the last two years and we are all looking forward to its final outcome. It is a great initiative and we give credit to NSCN-IM. I am not a political analyst, however, I do not see immediate positive outcome in the coming decades. I whole heartedly welcome the delay tactic in settlement. We need to read between the lines of statements of NSCI-IM leadership and negotiator of GoI. However, FA has given moral boost to NSCN-IM to claim the legitimacy of the organization and of tax collection and for GoI, it shows its commitment and sincerity in solving half a century Naga issue. Exclusion of larger Naga factional groups and civil societies in final settlement, and not disclosing the FA for the last two years itself speaks of the strategy of both sides. The GoI has also consistently maintained settlement within Indian constitution which they know that it will not be agreeable to Naga public. This open opportunity for delay strategy for both parties. The discussion will go on. At this juncture, we should all come together in one common platform and come up with a clear road map to root out corruption to foster round development. People want economic progress, self-reliance and development. I hope all the factional groups will seize the opportunity to focus in rooting out corruption and economic development in the coming years so that they regain people’s confidence. Any organization who stand for unity, development and dismantling institutionalized corruption will surely gain support from the people. We now realize that corruption is the root of evil, hatred, mistrust and underdevelopment. Like ACUAT, all the factional groups, churches and civil societies raise their voices collectively and powerfully against corruption. We want to build our nation on the foundation of justice, peace and prosperity, but not on corruption.
