Tribalism, sectarianism bane of Naga people, says Nagaland Dy CM TR Zeliang

DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang on Saturday termed “tribalism and sectarianism” as the bane of the Naga people, saying that it has created a negative attitude among the Nagas as ‘unity’ applies mostly to one’s own tribe.

“We favour our own dialect, culture, tradition, practices etc., but pave no way for other tribes to co-exist among us,” he said.

Zeliang was addressing the Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD) ‘Diamond jubilee celebration-cum-Nagas meet’ on the theme ‘Rekindling the flame of Naga unity,’ at Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

Maintaining that tribalism and sectarianism have been, directly or indirectly, affecting the Nagas politically and socially, he said the people must get rid of this setback in order to secure a safe future.

“We blame external forces for geographical division and sub-division of the Nagas, and although this is true, I want to put across one simple question: Who can stand in our way if we are united politically and socially?” he asked.

Appealing not to allow the ugly past to haunt and divide the Nagas further, he said that it should be the bounden responsibility of every Naga to stand together in order to resolve the long struggle of their ancestors.

“Though there may exist tough challenges ahead of us, I am confident that there is no problem that cannot be resolved through mutual understanding and cooperation. The challenges before the Naga people are many, and in order to come together and unite as one people, we have to set aside our differences at all levels,” he said.

Zeliang also shared some of his personal experiences during the last few years on how the Naga negotiating parties, namely the NSCN (IM) and the seven Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) had come to engage in peace talks with the Government of India, following the signing of the ‘Framework Agreement’ and the ‘Agreed Position.’

He said the theme of the jubilee is “appropriate” taking into account the fact that today, Nagas live in a world where their history, tradition and culture are being diluted by foreign ethos, culture and values, with or without their knowledge. 

He also said that the 21st century has changed the facet of Naga nationalism and their land.

“Fratricidal killings, kidnappings and extortions have stained our land. Corruption has become a vicious cycle and money has become the master of the Naga people as foretold by our great leader Late AZ Phizo who once said that ‘Nagas will never surrender in the battle field, but many Nagas will fall when money is shot through the barrel of the gun’,” he reminded.

“This is the situation we live in today and, under such a paradigm, it is only fair to say that after 60 years of existence, the time is ripe for NSUD, and all the Naga people in general, to ‘rekindle the flame of Naga unity’ and retrospect the lapses on our part,” he added.

Maintaining that Nagas should not blame only the Centre for the undue delay in resolving the Naga political issue, Zeliang said Naga people too must admit their own shortcoming –“infighting within ourselves, particularly between the two negotiating Naga groups”.  

He went on to affirm that as far as MLAs and MPs from Nagaland and Manipur (Naga MLAs) are concerned, they have given their best and will continue to do so as facilitators.

The deputy CM further said that it is his longing that the negotiating parties come to an amicable solution and ink an inclusive, honourable and acceptable settlement as aspired by the Naga people at large.

“At a critical time such as now, a time when the Nagas are encountering various social and political issues both in India and Myanmar, it is important for all of us to stand together as a united entity. We cannot afford to sing different tunes and foster divided opinions at this crucial juncture,” he said.

“We may be small and weak but we must defend our foundation or we will perish. Today, it is unfortunate to see that our civil society organisations and student organisations at various levels are fragmented and it has reached an almost irreparable stage. 

“However, there is a ray of hope for coming together because sensible citizens under the banner of organisations like Naga Students’ Union in Delhi and other cities are working hard and have continued to keep the torch of Naga unity burning till today,” he noted.

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