Let us candidly open the maiden statement of this discourse in a sincere honest note. In all fairness Nagas must unreservedly concede and applaud NSCN (IM) for being able to accomplish a herculean task of influencing the ever impervious GoI to officially acknowledge the “Unique History of the Nagas” that no other Factions have been able to achieve. The fundamental foundry of Naga future rests on this “unique history” and it is incumbent upon the Nagas to responsibly and collectively endeavour to induce GoI to act honourably in consonance with this “uniqueness” in real terms. The Naga people, with all the best of intention and goodwill would want to hope and believe that the “Framework Agreement” has been structured on fair application of mind based on this factor of uniqueness to establish their rightful place amongst the community of free Nations. This monumental achievement has however been deeply scarred by the lack of transparency that has unnecessarily generated a hyper toxic environment of unabated speculations and extreme suspicion.
The simple logical question that remains unanswered is: “If this framework agreement truly represents the interest of the Nagas what is the need to hide its contents”? The lack of response has caused the barometer on trust between NSCN (IM) and the people to take a sharp dip below zero as a consequence. This serious trust deficit is bolstered by the ruthless, autocratic nature of NSCN (IM), determined to unilaterally steer the course of Naga destiny towards an undisclosed future. Rather than generate an inclusive Naga tsunami against our adversary by taking all the fragmented factions and stakeholders on board an even playing field of shared respect, this unfortunate attitude of exclusive superiority complex on the part of NSCN (IM) is gravely vitiating the prospect of lasting peaceful solution.
This is a time for NSCN (IM) leadership to prayerfully grope into the depth of their hearts and minds and find that true Christian compassionate wisdom and bighearted understanding to uphold due respect for Naga History which cannot but recount that every household in Nagaland without exception has paid a very heavy price for freedom. No matter which faction they now belong to today, many have courageously joined the fray facing bullets in the front line while the remaining common majority have relentlessly shouldered equal responsibility of mobilising and sustaining the lifeline of the Naga National Movement from behind the scene no matter how daunting the challenge. Both the frontline and the rear were indispensable equal partners in this desperate struggle for self-determination. Efforts of one without the other would have driven the wind out of the sails of freedom a long time ago. After weathering inhuman trials for so long, failing to respect the legitimate right of the stakeholders with such arrogant impunity is the ultimate definition of a humiliating insult being poured over the cross bearing majority. The people of Nagaland being treated like a beast of burden only fit to bear the ‘out of control’ unregulated greed ‘tax’/extortion but being marginalised as ‘unfit’ in the decision making process is absolutely unjustifiable and unacceptable.
These are critical times that demand harsh truth to be placed on the table and dealt with forthrightly without bias, fear or favour for the greater good of all. The truth is this: We are being faced with a very unfortunate circumstantial reality that the fate of the entire Naga race is singlehandedly being dictated by one solitary human being in the person of Mr. Th. Muivah, the General Secretary, NSCN (IM). It is a universal knowledge that he is the undisputed dictator behind the facade of an impotent “Collective Leadership” within the NSCN (IM) set up. This already unhealthy imbalance in their system is further being reinforced by the utterly unscrupulous over-ground political leaders of Nagaland who have no vision beyond their immediate selfish political survival for power and money. Each of them has divorced reason as they flock faceless to Hebron to give their worthless mandate just so as to garner the support of NSCN (IM) in the coming election or fish for a future post of Kilonser in the event NSCN (IM) forms the next government by being in their good book. They do so at the cost of abandoning the honourable path of ensuring common good for all…for all times to come. This miserable caravan is also joined by many Apex NGOs spearheaded by Naga Haha, who have long since sold their souls to the devil and are prepared to toe the line as dictated by the powers that be. The intellectuals along with the common masses have helplessly been silenced by the fear factor induced by AK-47. This has necessarily induced ‘courage’ to take a very long vacation abroad with no intention of coming home. The sense of pride in us as once ‘honourable courageous people’ is the first casualty causing us to now tamely accept our fate and the fate of our children to be decided by one single uncompromising dictator. With what face can Nagas of Nagaland complacently tolerate this insufferable affront lying down is anybody’s guess?
The world has generally moved on from medieval era of ‘might is right’ to a more vibrant democratic civilisation that acknowledges the rights of individuals. Even China has abandoned Mao Zedong’s Red Book philosophy and has since taken giant strides, rapidly becoming a world economic powerhouse because of their liberal open door policy. Without the expressed consent of the people, NSCN (IM) proposes to impose their out of tune communist ideology taken out from the ‘red book’ to compel the Nagas to stagnate in medieval times by expecting an unquestioning blind faith to this ‘one man organisation’ on an important subject of such magnitude as our future that hangs in a balance. Claiming people’s mandate on ground that the people pay sovereignty related tax to NSCN (IM) is the height of all moronic daydreaming detached from ground reality. People would pay tax even to a rat if that rat is pointing AK 47 at them… which NSCN (IM) and all the other Factions have been doing ruthlessly thus far. The only historical mandate ever endorsed by the people of Nagaland for freedom was the Plebiscite of 1951 (P-51) which has long since been buried because of factionalism. Obtaining so-called public endorsement and mandate through bogus pre-concluded consultations does not even convince an ant leave aside a thinking person.
Be it NSCN (IM), NNC or any other factions…none can command an honourable claim to P-51. The only way for the Nagas to exhume P-51 is to regroup as a united house that the bloated factional egos still won’t allow. The preferred road to unity is therefore to set aside this cancerous ego and take into serious cognizance that all factions have acquired dark spots of omissions and commissions without exceptions in this long road of self-determination, and also sensitively analysing the changing political realities around us. Mr. Th. Muivah should perhaps tone down his stubborn finger pointing hype on ‘National principle’ that his own organisation may also not strictly measure up to and find a common platform for all leaders of factions to at least brainstorm together and excavate the possibility of a neutral approach beyond the tireless laudable efforts of FNR if possible. Considering the historic distance that has so far been covered, his continued leadership in an amalgamated inclusive platform ought to be a foregone conclusion that he ought not to doubt. Heart to heart talk amongst the factional leaders with relaxed rigidity seems to be the missing link that should earnestly be given a rethink.
The problem is not only limited to NSCN (IM)’s unwillingness to talk to the other factional leaders but they also seems to be having a serious mind block of really communicating with the neutral intellectual class. Any negative perception about NSCN (IM) will persist as long as they continue to trumpet their one-sided exclusive supremacy tune in isolation. While it is true that nothing tangible would result from an unregulated mass interaction, it would perhaps be desirable if NSCN (IM) set up some kind of a ‘National Movement Forum for open discussion’ where selective, reasonably smaller groups of well-meaning intellectual critics gets a space to candidly raise issues of common concern and afford NSCN (IM) the opportunity to interact and also clarify wherever necessary. One believes that this healthy cross ventilation of ideas and inputs will be refreshing and beneficial for all concerned and bridge the gap of mutual distrust. New directions that were otherwise missed out before could even result from such open-minded discourses for all we know. This necessarily means that the earlier ‘consultation’ format of one-sided lecture followed by a pre-determined endorsement of resolution by ‘yes men’ in attendance should be abandoned. Fair minded Naga intellectuals being able to see through the fog would then become useful assets to act as a vital catalyst to generate healthy momentum for Naga unity. As the present eldest leading faction amongst the brothers, the onus rests with NSCN (IM) to actively explore every possible option for clarity of vision towards the path of least resistance within the Naga family… because Nagas deserve a better future.
Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd);
e-mail: kksema@gmail.com
