Dr. KN. Vareso & Y.L. Ramgui
Nagas are a struggling nation who suffered the most in our time. The God of (L) AZ Phizo, (L) Isak Chishi Swu, (L) Khodao Yanthan, Khole Konyak and Th. Muivah among others has chosen the Nagas as a new (symbolic) Israelites of the contemporary world. Our historical facts of national struggle, circumstances and experiences have made it amply clear and convincing that God wants the Nagas to serve Him, His kingdom and mankind as a new nation. Naga generations of old and new strongly believe that repeopling the Nagas as a nation is the will of God. Our Naga forefathers with all humility and gratefulness to God, solemnly accepted His devine will and promise to establish a new Naga nation. This promise of the awesome God is said to be the fundamental reason why the 1st ever Naga Memorandum seeking her freedom and independence from the British India was submitted to the Simon Commission in the year 1929. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why Nagas declared independence on the 14th August, 1947. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why Nagas successfully made the 1951 Plebiscite wherein 99.9% voted for independent Nagaland. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why the Nagas did not join the new Indian Nation-State while all the erstwhile kingdoms, princely states, tribal regions and territories of the British India had joined/merged with her after she attained independence from British rule. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why Nagas courageously resisted and defended their people and their land from India and Myanmar’s forcible invasion. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why the struggling Nagas can always stand their common ground together in defending the Naga nation whenever very critical situation demands no matter how much of tribalism, factionalism, localism or regionalism haunted us.
It appears, therefore, the only genuine address and resolution to the Naga internal feud, conflict and differences can best be had within the realm of Naga nationalism and not vice-versa. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why Indo-Naga ceasefire between GOI and Federal Govt. of Nagaland (FGN/NNC) for political talk was signed in 1964, though it failed. This they said is to the be fundamental reason why the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975 signed between GOI and representatives of FGN/NNC was oughtrightly rejected by the Naga people. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why people mandated National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) a new Naga national political party (organisation) was formed in the year 1980 under the new command and leadership of (L) Isak Chishi Swu (Chairman), SS Khaplang (Vice-Chairman), Th. Muivah (General Secretary) and Khole Kongyak (Chief of Naga Army) in order to continue to steer the national movement for recognition of Naga sovereignty and independence.
NSCN/GPRN has since been doing the fight as well as the talk at the domestic and international levels. It is NSCN/GPRN which has vigorously worked hard and brought about great Naga national political renaissance once again home and abroad. This they said is the fundamental reason why Nagas were admitted as members of Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) in 1993 at Hague, Netherland. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why Indo-Naga ceasefire was signed again in 1997 between GOI and NSCN/GPRN for a political talk at Prime Ministerial level. This they said is to be the fundamental reason why GOI lifted the ban on NSCN (IM) in 2002 from the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 thereby giving cognizance to NSCN (IM) as a legitimate entity engaged in political dialogue with India at the Prime Ministers’ level. We like it or not, it is NSCN (IM) which has been actively engaging a political negotiation with India for the past 19 years. The 19 year old Indo-Naga Political negotiation has virtually institutionalised the Naga case both in India and in Nagaland with close international observations. Are the Nagas really working hard and living as a nation? While sincerely acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices and contributions the Nagas had made during NNC time, it will not be wise on our part to forfeit its fruits simply by questioning the political credentials of NSCN (IM) which has infact provided a strong and dynamic leadership and a constructive new political dimension in the making of a stronger united Naga nation. It would be immature on the part of the Nagas to misjudge this position. Change of guard and institution are natural and universal phenomenon in any struggling society without any exception to the Nagas. It would be in the greater interest of the Naga nation to recognise this changing dynamics of the Naga struggle. However, this political good will NSCN (IM) has earned should not be a ground of justification for the untold misdeeds, power misuse, illegal activities and misconducts of some of its ranks and files. NSCN must stretch out its administrative vibrancy to control, correct and reform them. Likewise on the part of all Naga stakeholders, it will be a blunder to mess up things at this critical stage of dialogue which will benefit all Nagas if brought to a logical conclusion. Public assessment of the credibility of the Naga national workers should be prudently made purely on the yardstick of their national responsibilities discharged on the ground and above but not merely on media displays. It will be more productive to give constructive criticism and suggestion to the negotiating team rather than creating chaos and confusions in the minds of innocent public. It is pertinent to note that the progress of Naga national movement is not by itself automatic. It has been earned through blood, sweat and tears. Tremendous sacrifices of the Nagas which includes pain, hardships, sufferings, persecutions, lost of precious lives and properties, constant struggle, etc. have brought the Naga struggle thus far.
It is a universal truth that the forerunners of a struggle are often despised, rejected and persecuted the most; not that they are too bad but because they spearhead and carry the cross of the cause they so dearly fight for. This is true even in Naga case. The torch bearing tribes of Naga national movement from day-one to this date are many a times put to peril and marginalisation by the evil policies and designs of the aggressors and their agents only with the ulterior motive to suppress the movement. They grossly violated human rights in the process. They even designed to bring hatred, animosity, confusion and division among those who sincerely worked hard to carry forward together the national struggle. A period of nearly 87 years of Naga struggle is suffice to learn some lessons on intellectual, socio-political and spiritual core values. Some of the core values that the Nagas are entrenched with in the course of the struggle are; unbreakable Naga national spirit and the bond of Naga unity & oneness, the unfailing love of God that binds the Nagas together amidst all these stormy years of the struggle, the wisdom to sincerely forgive each other for the wrongs committed within and without the Naga society, and the relevance of peace & non-violence in contemporary Naga generation. Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on its part under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Wati Aier has done a selfless and most wonderful job in mending the bond of Naga brotherhood and peace within it. It surely will bear more abundant fruits someday. A clarion call made by uncle (L) Isak Chishi Swu to all Naga brethren to forgive each other and unite for the Naga national cause will continue to inspire the Naga people and their nation from age to age.
As long as the Nagas exist on earth, our beloved and most honoured (L) Isak Chishi Swu, a man of God and Yaruiwo of the Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) will always be fondly remembered. The tallest Naga statesman and a Naga nationalist leader, Asu Isak gave his life and everything in it for the whole Nagas irrespective of artificial boundaries and the Naga nation in South Asia which our beloved uncle (L) A.Z. Phizo once founded. The creation of the present state of Nagaland in 1963 has advantages and disadvantages as well. At the worst, it created sharp political polarisation among the Nagas apart from tribalism, regionalism or localism. The -ism of Nagas from Nagaland and those of outside Nagaland in one hand and Indian Nagas and Myanmarese Nagas on the other hand as planted and designed by the then adversaries is time and again haunting against the spirit of Naga unity and brotherhood. Uncle Isak’s life has clearly manifested how he fought his best to neutralize this -ism and polarisation trend that he knew to be a great threat and barrier in the Naga national struggle. (L) Isak Chishi Swu had his best intelligence and brilliance of mind wholly guided by God’s wisdom in having conquered against all these odds and circumstances that divide the Nagas on narrow artificial boundaries and barriers implanted by the enemies. He knew crystal clear that the establishment of a Naga National Authority (entity) is the only way to Naga solution in fulfilling the will of God and the aspiration of the Naga people. He, therefore, against all odds steadfastly stood his ground along with all Naga people who believe in it, no matter where they come from. This is the reason why he has conquered the hearts of every Naga citizen and many friends & foes beyond the border. It is said, “Sumi brethren by nature are true to the spirit of friendship in all given weathers”. (L) Uncle Isak Chishi Swu had befriended the Naga national cause and his unwavering stance to uphold and abide in it till his last breath on 28th June, 2016 simply reflects the finest character of the Sumi community he belongs. Yes, Uncle Th. Muivah, Hon’ble Ato Kilonser is right when he last bid a tearful farewell to his most beloved friend and a comrade-in-arms exclaiming, “How can we afford to part with a man like Isak!” The overwhelming pouring of love and honour during the 7-day State mourning of the Naga nation and the standard of formalities displayed therein have surely conveyed a clear message to the world that Nagas are true to their words. May his soul rest in peace with the Lord and may the good Lord continue to comfort and bless the bereaved family members.
The August 3/15 Framework Agreement which (L) Isak Chishi Swu, the then NSCN (IM) Chairman fondly executed may have far reaching positive impact in establishing a new Indo-Naga relation if it is worked out in the right perspective. The sharing of sovereign powers between the Nagas and India as two equal co-ordinate entities appears to be one of the main political menus of the Framework Agreement. The relevant issue herein is the instrument (constitution) of sharing sovereignty. India has her own constitutional mandate in acquiring extra-territorial administrative jurisdiction of other territory including the Naga territory by arriving an Agreement. Does the constitution of the Nagas (Naga Yehzabo) have any mandatory provision to allow acquisition or sharing of her sovereign powers with India? Working out the lists of sovereign competencies for sharing with India is very much within the scope and under the process of negotiation. However, it may kindly be noted that the political authority or sanction to allow the Nagas to share some of their sovereign powers with India or any other country for that matter is to be either derived from the Naga Yehzabo (constitution) itself or from a referendum verdict of the Naga people. Hope, the negotiating party has already taken necessary measures in this regard or it may do so when it deems fit for necessary amendment of the Naga Yehzabo to incorporate a relevant provision thereto. This is an accepted political culture and a requirement in a negotiation that involves the issue of nationhood. Meaning, Naga constitution is the heart and soul of the struggling Naga nation wherein the aspirations of the Naga people is embodied with. The Framework Agreement is to be worked out on the basis of the terms and conditions mutually agreed upon by the parties but is to be at the same time necessarily guided by their own respective constitutions. Without a separate Naga constitution, sharing of sovereign powers between the two equal entities appears to be practically quite absurd. The Naga national identity can only exists with that of her distinct constitutional identity. They are like head & tail of the same coin. Therefore, apart from incorporating special Naga law in the constitution of India as articulated in the media, it would be praiseworthy and a big heart on the part of India to allow Nagas to retain their own separate constitution howsoever small it is. An already incorporated Indian state like Jammu & Kashmir has her own constitution. It would be an act of mockery to deny this right to the Nagas whose unique and distinctive political history is said to have been recognized and whose territory is not incorporated as claimed. Nagas are quite hopeful to the present government. In fact Nagas are happy to acknowledge that in the history of the post independent India one of the most charismatic, dynamic, capable, compassionate and down to earth Prime Ministers in the person of Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modiji and his team have been providentially put in place to steer the country forward. We hope this government will not only work hard to make a prosperous India but it will seriously find ways to re-establish a new relation with the Nagas based on her core values of peace & non-violence. It must equally pursue to bring a momentum of the finest democracy and freedom in India where everyone would have a space to live in happily.
The Framework Agreement which recognised that sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people must be implemented in letter and spirit to bring honourable solution. Historical experiences remind us that any solution lacking the will of God and the aspiration of the Nagas may not be the real and lasting solution. May every Naga citizen, Naga National Political Groups (NPGs) and all other stakeholders of Naga society be benefitted out of this resolution of Indo-Naga conflict. May it bring wider horizon of fraternity and friendship in Naga world. May it bring better understanding, enduring love and peace with our neighbours and friends. Hope, the Framework Agreement produce real, qualitative and workable solution to enable the Nagas to have their own government as a nation with the highest political association with India based on mutually agreed terms. Let us give peace a chance!
