The opposition to the ULBs elections in the state had seen one of most united stand that the different tribe organisations have taken in the state since statehood and the tribes were successful albeit loss of lives and property. Looking back, it is now certain that the opposition by the tribe organisations was not unanimous initially and in some cases endorsements were also given to the conduct of the elections. Till the end of 2016 when the government announced the elections, there were few objections and it might have led the legislators to think that they would be able to push it through without much opposition and with a little force wherever necessary. However the events suddenly began to have a domino effect when the government continued the flip-flops in its decisions that slowly saw more and more joining the protests. Somehow, it was catastrophic leading to loss of lives and property as a result of immense outpour of emotions by the people, on the other hand the loss of lives only made it possible for the government agree to the demands of the people. For the majority Christian population and descendants of former warriors with a history of conflict for the last 60 years, the deaths are all the more significant. The blood of those who lost their lives were required to redeem the shortcomings of the people over the years to safeguard the right of the Nagas; a divine intervention indeed. As for the Ao community, the sacrifice of one its youth came from the same village from where another life was sacrificed almost 56 years ago for being the signatory to the 16-point agreement. Dr. Imkongliba, the first President of the Naga People's Convention, and Bendangnungsang Longkumer are not only from the same village but are from the same clan and lineage.
The two youths who died during the protest Khriesavizo Metha and Bendangnungsang Longkumer are today laid to rest next to each other at Kohima, the capital of the state. The former is from the Angami tribe and the latter from the Ao tribe. Without undermining the contributions of many from other tribes, today in the middle of Kohima town lies the bodies of two Naga youths together, one from the tribe of AZ Phizo and the other from the tribe of Dr. Imkongliba. Although the two youth died while performing the duties on call by their respective tribes to protect the right of the Naga people against dilution of Article371(A), which ultimately means land for Naga public, unfortunately the narratives will differ thereafter and it has been so since the 16 point agreement was signed. One group will say that they died defending the land and its rights as defended by AZ Phizo under whose leadership the Plebiscite of 1951 was conducted to state the aspirations of the Naga people to be left alone. The other group will say that they died protecting the rights of the Nagas, that is in the form of Article371(A) which was 'purchased' by the blood of Dr. Imkongliba. One group will say that the right of the Nagas were sold off by a selected few while the other group will say that the statehood was the best possible option to save the people from atrocities. There has never been a collective voice of the Nagas that says both the groups did it for the good of the Nagas, though with shortcomings. So today, it is a pity that only from that last days of January 2017 the Nagas will let Avizo and Bendang to have a common history in their service to the Nagas because prior to that the Naga people have varying narratives for them.
Over the years, the differences among the Naga leaders have slowly started to be misused on tribal lines with vested interests and it is still very conspicuous at present. At times it seems the decisions are not for the welfare of the people but more to do with egoistic stands and tribal interests. The recent happenings occurred at a time when the Naga society is in a state of uncertainty especially with the ongoing peace talks that is going on in its twentieth year. It is also a time when many are apprehensive that if another peace deal with the GoI will instead usher in more bloodshed as before. However the one nature of the Naga public that still stands out is that we are still literally ready to go up in arms if we feel our rights and our land is being threatened. This energy has to be used now to unite the Nagas and do away with tribalism and regionalism. There has to be meeting point for the leaders, especially the leaders of the Naga Nationalist Groups. They need to refrain from taking the moral high ground but come together for the sake of the people. The common Naga ethos that everything is correct and fair if the intent of the goal is good, needs a relook by all today to make amends. Else, how long will the graves of the Naga heroes have so many varying narratives though all have died for the cause of the people?
