We shall overcome

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is a matter of deep regret that after living together as good neighbours for decades the Karbis and Rengma Nagas who are settled in Karbi Anglong have come to blows. The Rengma Nagas were originally of a great origin. They however, preferred to migrate east and west. East to what is now Meluri sub-division of Meluri Constituency and west to what is now part of Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Those who went east thrived in all aspects but those who went west have not been as fortunate primarily because not for lack of land and its resources but for somewhat lack of education. It is perhaps the weakened socio economic status of the Rengma Nagas and the lack of education which has led to them being held in low esteem by the Karbis. Perhaps the Karbi attackers are unaware that many Karbis are known to be living in Nagaland particularly Dimapur area without discrimination and work in the handloom trade with Naga backing, even marrying into our community. Viewed closely the Karbis have no valid reason to target the Rengma Nagas. The Rengma Naga community in Karbi Anglong is barely 20,000 after the departure of many families out of fear. They are neither an economic nor a political force to reckon with. They are in fact a community on the fringe of development in the autonomous district of Karbi Anglong and are primarily orange farmers. Of late the sense of insecurity amongst the Rengma Nagas has been growing. What is peculiar is the absence of any pro active measures by the Assam district administration to prevent a flare up between the two communities. The area has been shrouded in tension since December 14, 2013 when reports of clashes, communal in nature have been intermittently reported. Citizens on their own initiatives have been taking up peace overtures and a delegation from Diphu also addressed a press conference in Dimapur on December 20, 2013, expressing concern over the developing situation. The group was categorical in stating that the agencies of the government of Assam were behind inciting communal tension. The allegations at that time seemed far fetched but the insensitivity to the situation unfolding by the government of Assam, begs answers to questions which Friday’s incident raises. What needs to be asked is who gains when such communal flare ups take up place? What can gun toting militants (in this case suspected Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger, who want an independent Karbi state ) gain by targeting Rengma Nagas? The incident is a wake up call to Naga leaders and the public. The obsession with our own internal politics both over and underground will render us irrelevant to our neighbours. Be it in Assam, Manipur, Myanmar or Bangladesh …we have to start seeing where we are placed in the larger picture and strengthen the process of building bonds. There’s only one way. That way is up. We shall overcome.