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07/03/2010: "The Naga Quest for identity & the Indian apathy Zhokusheyi Rhakho Morung"

The Naga Quest for identity & the Indian apathy Zhokusheyi Rhakho Morung

Its astounding to see that Asia's longest running insurgency in the country of world largest democracy is yet to see its logical end. 62 years since, India still lack the wisdom and vision to solve the same.
when Nehru opted for a military solution to the then surging Naga Nationalism he might have comprehended more of immediate victory than the impact it would have to the whole of NE and protracted conflict with Nagas in the long run nor the Nagas leaders themselves never comprehended of internal belligerency as of now. Nagas would never have been too finicky about their identity had it not been for the reckless military action of Govt. of India(GOI) which blew things out of proportion. The Nagas, located as such in a landlocked geography, sooner or later would have come to some sort of relationship with India and the NE as a whole would have been under relative peace. But the new India brimming with self-confidence of its large army and the Nagas as tiny as they were did not merit any second thought of the policy makers. India did occupy Nagaland and went ahead to establish Nagaland state which was intended with a smallest possible size hoping that nagas would be appeased or too weak to fight if fragmented under different administration though Nagas favored administration of all naga inhabited areas, and the GOI had every means to grant the same without much brouhaha in the earlier days like the NE state reorganization act of 1972 and still can do so if it wants, but it just opt the colonial boundaries in setu. Unfortunately, it became the problem of Manipur, Assam Arunachal and even Myanmar when nationalism spread there too. India failed to exorcised or win the Nagas even after posting a quarter of its 1.2 million strong army under intensive operation. The very fact that insurgency is deeply entrenched as ever testify that military solution failed. For any big power like India, to occupy is easy but the real problem is consolidation of its rule. Thus, the US debacle in Vietnam, USSR tragedy in Afghanistan and India in Nagaland, etc.
No set of people has borne the burnt of Indian military like the Nagas since independence. The army & paramilitary forces armed with plethora of extra ordinary power like AFSPA, created mayhem and collateral destruction never realizing that they were in a very foreign and sensitive terrain and any wrong move was likely to spark apocalyptic impact. They were sent to win the people not to vanquish them. If anything called fascist brutality exist than it happened in Nagaland Theater. It is also unlikely for the military to stamp out insurgency even in the next hundred years but it is the Naga themselves that might oust the same reading the present displeasure of the people due to fratricidal mess. If the present trend exacerbate, people may try to discard them and the nationalist may try to exert iron grip, than the end can be anticipated.
Its an irony that the very land of Gandhi through which the principle of non violence, Indian won independence could possibly enact as heinous a law like Arm Forces Special Power Act 1958(AFSPA) to subdue a tiny fraction of people in the periphery whose joining Indian union may or may not make much difference. This law violates 25 of the 30 Universal Declarations of Human Rights and undermines the constitution itself and defeats the very spirit of Indian federalism. The cruelest thing is that the victim and the affected can't get justice from any court of law of India as section 7, sect. 45 and 197 of CrPc envisage complete immunity to the security personnel which is a grotesque legal abomination. Thus, if Nagas were killed torture raped etc. they can't get justice even if they are innocent. Literally, AFSPA is not a law but a license to kill. This law became the violation of not the extremist per se but the innocent public. The GOI have to pay for the gross violation of human rights and civil liberties by the military through the imposition of AFSPA.
The Australians have tendered apology to the aborigines, the Canadian to the Inuit's Eskimos, the German to the Jews, Japanese to the Americans for Pearl Harbor, the British to the Indians for Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre, etc. If India wants to win the good will and confidence of the Naga and end rampant resentment and alienation, three things is indispensable:

1.Repeal AFSPA 2.Tender unconditional apology to Naga people 3.Bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice for crime against humanity.
If this is done than it will instill confidence in Indian state and irreconcilable differences would soften and extremism may fizzle out in due time.
GOI should know that they are dealing with entity that has never been part of India historically or culturally. The more it delves into history, the more India looses its legitimacy to hold on Nagaland. Infact from Kashmir to Kanyikumari, from vadodara to Brahmaputra, there is no iota of similarity of culture with Nagas. Even today, Indian cultures simply don't appeals to them whether it is Bollywood, Tollywood or whatever. Rather they apt west, Koreans etc. though its more of a life style then material advancement.
Nagas encountered chronic perils like any other people of the world affected by war. But the world is yet to know what exactly traversed their with stringent media censorship by the military. Nagaland just don't have oil to attract the west or it can't effort to commit Rwanda or Cambodian type genocide to bring the world neither they aren't religious fanatics like the Islamic Jihadis to sent suicide squads to the Indian metropolis to draw the world attention. The Christians worlds don't evoke intrinsic brotherhood like the Mussalmen to generate support or sympathy for tiny Christian's enclave like Nagaland. Nagas were bestridden and molested unseen and unheard by the world under Indian military might. But why did the Nagas still refuses to submit even after acute hardship? The simple logic is, men have feelings, self respect, dignity etc. if these rights are infringed upon, it draws sharp reprisal. For no sect of people would dare to fight a more well equip and larger foe with oddest weapon or march the most inhospitable terrain for thousand of kilometers waylaid by foes on all possible route if the situation is not of extreme magnitude. Nagas were small but independent minded and indomitable people for whom submitting to a marauding Indian military would be an undignified act just as any freedom loving people of the world would do.
It is also unlikely that the whole NE would be part of India if chances have them in the event of any severe internal conflict or foreign aggression weakening the central authority because people are not integrated mentally or emotionally and the good will of the people don't rest with India. Democracy is farce in NE and all sorts of unusual things are happening like Irom sharmilla's indefinite hunger strike for 10 straight years to repeal AFSPA, Govt. firing at democratic protesters, issuing price tag on civil society leaders, successive weeks of economic blockade, rampant corruption etc. India always percepts NE under one category and practically don't consider them as full Indians. This lackadaisical yardstick is also palpable when India imposed AFSPA in NE and Nagaland without hesitation while is still refuses to use the army, leave alone AFSPA in its greatest internal security threat posed by Maoist insurgency. Millions of Indians don't know where is Nagaland, sans the laymen, even lecturers and professors in the University knows nothing beyond the name of state. Needless to say it watches in glee when one community rises against another in NE because that really diverts them from fighting against India state.
No wonder, this apathy is hardly surprising when hitherto Indians state is projected as Govt. of the upper caste who are at every helms of Govt. apparatus. It is notorious for crushing political dissent, suppressing democratic voices specially of the lower caste while it have the knack of signing of all international treatise because it need not implement them. It has the trait of drifting towards authoritarian rule. The crux is that 3 of the world top ten riches person in the world are Indians while on the other hand, 72 percent of India goes to sleep hungry. It is also a country with highest consecration of illiterate population in the world. The caste ridden and corrupt Indian polity is so enormous that even the Supreme Court has lamented that even god can't help India. One-fifth of Indians don't enjoy right to freedom and dignity. Such society can hardly be peaceful and the Maoist uprising is the manifestation of lower caste movement who have been suppressed and oppressed for millennium. There is constant loss of vision of the India state's approach to the socio-political turmoil.
But how do Naga marched forward here on, the first step is, set our house in order. The arduous task ahead is to bridge the widening gap between the nationalist and also the civil society, for which the dogged effort of FNR is hoped to anticipate to its successful fait accompli. It is rational prudence that there can be eastern, southern, or northern Naga organization but that represent only that area and not the Nagas as a whole. Thus, one apex Naga organization (both overground & underground) is indispensable for which every tribe should append for the greater interest of the Nagas especially in a situation like this. Indian is ten times wiser than us and it would never conclude settlement with one group and let the other group grow but it will try to prolong things until pressurized. Before dealing India or Myanmar, internal unification of all groups is imperative. This would resurrect the badly damaged nationalism especially among the young generation who has only seen Nagas killing Nagas.
While GOI when ahead to deeply entrench itself, Naga nationalist relapse to war of attrition among them and miserably failed to instill patriotism in the mind of the new generation due to their own mutual conflict. People have so much stakes in the Indian imposed state today, and most feasible thing is to continue political parlance while fostering nationalism along side. To dislodge the whole legacy would only do more harm than good.
Conflict within the Nagas themselves is an unfortunate part of naga history which negates the very principle of the movement inter se, for which immediate reconciliation is necessary. Nagas need to reconcile with the past though past can be bitter because we don't live in the past anymore. The perpetrator must seek forgiveness and the affected must forgive. If that can't be done than Nagas shall languish in the quagmire for more years to come. If the leaders can't visualize beyond factions, tribalism, etc. than they are dyslexic of envisioning a nation. When the world is marching into 21st century of peace and prosperity we dare to insulate ourselves in a ceaseless feud. When people in other part have reached the stars and space, excelling in science and technology it would be narcissistic pity to live in primitive age. Nagas need to march in consistence with the progress of the world. Development activities should go in full swings along side with political negotiation and the nationalist should encourage the same and even act as a check mate against corruption because as long as we are under India we deserve to get what is due to us and economic viability is the sine qua non for any nationhood. If integration can't materialize, Nagas of those areas should be encouraged for an arrangement where their rights can be best protected and draw maximum benefit until opportunity merits to come together.
Nagas also need no foreign imported Chinese communism, Indian democracy or American federalism though using them as point of reference is indispensable. But it should grow from within the Nagas themselves rooted in tradition, accommodativeness and adaptability to the exigencies of time. What have Nagas contributed to the world of nationalism so far? The French contributed 'liberty, equality, fraternity,' the British Magna Carta, American bill of right, Eastern Europe socialism and South Africa and India have produced international icons like Mandela and Gandhi. Are Nagas only capable of fomenting trouble and division? Perhaps Naga Ideals could be inferred from tradition of equality embedded in high socio-cultural values and most importantly, a revolution against oppression and exploitation of the week by the strong which may spread in the neighborhood and the world at large. If any revolution or upheavals don't guarantee a better life, governance, rights, than the revolution is a waste inter se.
Sooner or later Nagas needs some sort of political arrangement where we can frame own policies inter alia like sending our own diplomats to UN, etc. without supercession from outside even without complete break from India or Myanmar or even if we sent one or two representative it won't matter much to us due special condominium political arrangement . The paraphernalia of any settlement should be based by this ipso facto. If the GOI accrue to such modus vivendi, will the Nagas say amen or it is the GOI that will never yield. Than conflict is still inevitable but if that materialize, than the Nagas as a distinct identity if secured and conflict need not proceed further. State is not a primordial entity and if the state can not fulfill its raison d'etre, than the units have every right to assert their own authority according to a la carte of universal law of right to self determination.
Indian should realize that for stability in mainland, stability in NE is imperative, for stability in NE solving Nagaland is indispensable. Conflict in Nagaland will always spilled to NE and proliferates to mainland.
But at the end of the day nagas themselves would be the final arbiter of their own destiny. The foremost thing is speak with One Voice.

Zhokusheyi Rhakho
University of Hyderabad

GPRN/NSCN on Muivah’s journey Meren Nokpu
The so-called peace and reconciliation mission undertaken by Th. Muivah’s in Nagaland is a short story of concoction, contradiction, massive face-saving campaign, violating the covenant of common hope. It began with barrage high and mighty words, whipping up mass hysteria on both side of the Nagaland-Manipur border, creating deeper rift between Manipur Government and Nagas of Manipur State. In the end, as sad as it appeared, even with the Z plus security provided by the GOI and a large number of heavily armed IM cadres, he was forced to lick his bruised ego at Viswema Village unable to enter his home state of Manipur. Suddenly at Angami soil, the thirty five years of anti-Phizo/NNC tirades gave way to romanticizing A. Z Phizo and a host of Naga Leaders who, till the morning of Mao gate incident were utterly cursed and ridiculed as traitors for their role in the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975 and aftermath. A man who boasted in the media more than a month ago, “…no power on earth can stop me from visiting my birth place.” is still loitering around Nagaland. The lesson is simple: “If you don’t respect others, no one will respect you.” The rescheduled itinerary forced Th. Muivah to urgently sent feelers to Angamis, Chakhesangs, Sumis, Rengmas, Lothas, Aos etc. to kindly allow him to visit their lands. A number of tribes, village authorities and intellectuals expressed their reservations and unwillingness to welcome him because the tears of the parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends of those mercilessly killed by IM in the name of the nation had not dried, thus adding further insult to the wounded pride. Crimes committed in the past can be forgiven but not forgotten. The opposition of his visit is never to forcibly stop him but to make the position of Naga tribes very lucid to him. On a number of occasions the position of guests and hosts are clearly defined in the media outlets.
GPRN/NSCN Ao Region would like to make its position very clear on the proposed visit of Th. Muivah to Ao country. Taking undue advantage of the present reconciliation process and sowing seeds of disunity is against the very principle of reconciliation. If ever there was a mandate of the Ao Nagas to any group, it is purely to uphold the sovereign rights of the Naga people. Ao people, at no point of time, mandated Th. Muivah to pursue integration issue ahead of political solution. The thirty two point charter of demand submitted to the GOI is but a manipulation of the people’s trust. It is for the Ao people, who are considered as one of the advanced tribes with responsible intelligentsia at the helm, to question what the thirty two point charter of demand is. Making Ukhrul the summer capital of Manipur too cannot easily be brushed aside as it is a genuine demand of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL). Neither the Aos nor any of the tribes in Nagaland or outside have any clue about the thirty two points charter of demand. It is for the Ao people to see who is playing with the sentiments of the Nagas. The so-called peace mission of Th. Muivah, starting from Mao gate where innocent lives were lost, more than eighty injured and many families displaced, is hardly a peace mission. In reality, the strong opposition from Sumis and Chakhesangs and intellectuals had forced Th. Muivah to adopt a more stringent measure; insist on adding more IRB, Assam Rifles and state police forces, depute more of his gun totting men to campaign door to door at strategic places with coercive intent. It is in the knowledge of the Ao people that despite the forceful and persuasive designs, Ao hospitality would be granted to guests whether it’s Muivah or anyone. While in Nagaland, it is suggested that Th. Muivah best ignore distorting Naga history because it is a subject which awaits every new born infant.
(Meren Nokpu) MIP Kilonser & Ao Region Supervisor
GPRN/NSCN

“Nagaland for Christ” and reconciliation Post-mortem Nagaland Post
It appears that in the backdrop of the Naga freedom context “Nagaland for Christ” is one among the commitments, where Nagas pledged to start their history with God. Nagas as surviving group of people have proved ourselves to be different among the nascent nations. Reading the daily papers almost every speeches and quotes made by writers, peace makers, politicians, church leaders and Naga national workers including Muivah and Isak have mentioned erratically about the slogan “Nagaland for Christ” which has interested me to put up this writing.
To me it doesn’t matter whether it is “Nagaland for Christ” or “Christ for Nagaland”, if Naga national freedom interest is based in relation with the kingdom of God. The idea of pursuing this freedom will never be against the principles and ethics of Jesus Christ which was preached in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 1ff). Which means: no bloodshed, no arms, no revenge and no wars whether inside or outside.
Historically, Nagaland for Christ has three initiatives; the slogan “Nagaland for Christ” was an anti-war movement initiated by the ABAM (Ao Baptist Arogo Mundang Nungdo) primarily meant for uniting the Nagas in Christ during and after the Indo-Naga war. It is also learnt that in the year 1952, FGN declared as their slogan “Nagaland for Christ,” which was predominantly meant to unite the Nagas against the atrocities done by the Govt. of India represented by Indian Army. Later in the formation of NSCN constitution “Nagaland for Christ” was implemented as their spiritual outlook.
In observation of these three initiatives “Nagaland for Christ” is neither pictured as a shelter for terrorism nor emanated as dichotomy ideals for politics and religion. Thus it should be clear that when “Nagaland for Christ” is termed or quoted, there should not be double edged meaning for the slogan. No matter what NBCC, NSCN, FGN, NNC has done to the slogan, it still stands for anti-war and genuine reconciliation both theoretically and practically.
Therefore if what our Naga leaders and workers who used the slogan “Nagaland for Christ” is an anti-war movement, a reconciling theme, a common solidarity for the Nagas; is it not achieving the Naga solidarity through violence seemingly contradicting the principles of Jesus and his kingdom? Christ taught us to renounce even our rights, whereas the Nagas under the leadership of NSCN made a pledge that they would never lay down from their hands three things: Their arms, freedom and territories.
I do not undermine the possibility of achieving the Naga freedom, rather I am for it, but if Christ’s name is cheapened or diluted by idealism of freedom struggle, than we are no better than people who have humiliated Christianity in the past like; Hitler, Stalin, Voltaire and Constantine.
If we profess the name of Jesus Christ with our lips and smack-down his principles with our actions and AK-47s, how would Naga Christianity look like? Would it be not like Hitler campaigning for Nazism with the 20th century symbol Swastika overshadowed by the cross of Christ with intention to kill six million Jews?
The historical echo of the movement “Nagaland for Christ” should not remain shrouded in the minds of people, but it must be propagated as a voice against war, corruption, extortion, social disorders and killings in Nagaland. Using the slogan “Nagaland for Christ” as a platform to conceal our mistakes and lure political support from the govt and public may not be a good way of procuring reconciliation. When FNR is at the forefront of bringing various warring Naga underground leaders, Muivah erupted with his reconciling journeys since his entry to Somdal was banned. There is no doubt that reconciliation is numb in his calendar, yet if genuinely designated, where is FNR, where is Naga Hoho and other apex bodies and why are they silent? Many writers had opted and urged Nagas to forgive and forget, and go ahead with the present reconciliation. That sounds good and promising; if at all we forgive and forget, we also should not forget that you have been forgiven first. True forgiveness is to Remember, remembering that Christ has forgiven us and we need to forgive others at any cost.
Thus it is asserted that; “Nagaland for Christ” stands for pacifism and any kind of violence which endangers any innocent lives for personal or social reason cannot be justified. Nagas, if we are so apathetic towards our situations and live without opposing treachery and totalitarianism today, then we are selling our freedom to a group of people who are ushering us to a miserable plight of freedom tomorrow. It is said; He who refuses to learn from history is pause to repeat mistakes. We have so much to learn from the history of our national freedom struggle, and we have purposed in our hearts that we will not commit the same mistake as many have done. “Nagaland for Christ” should not be a campaign for national integration in India. It stands for solidarity of the Nagas, who are willing to bring any conflicts to be resolved under the feet of Christ, be it political, judicial, religious, communal or personal. In Christ every personal grudge is withheld, every tension at ease because he is forgiving and gracious.
Let us pursue to thrive for true love and forgiveness and anticipate for a better future to live in.
Villo Naleo, Viswema.
Shed ethno-exclusive ideology : UNLF-II Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, The peace talk between NSCN-IM and the Government of India is on the verge of stepping into the 14th year now, but no positive formula to bring a lasting solution for the benefit of Naga people has been worked out till date, observed the UNLF in its statement.

Interestingly, the basic objective of the Naga revolutionary movement, which is freedom for Naga people, has been sidelined by NSCN-IM leadership.

Instead of Naga sovereignty, NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah has been vigorously advocating unification of Naga inhabited areas to form a State called Nagalim within the Indian Union.

Acting as if it indirectly supports the NSCN-IM's demand for Nagalim, the Government of India has been plotting to create a situation of conflict and distrust between the Naga people and other communities in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

The NSCN-IM too favoured such a situation so that they could expand and strengthen their base among the Naga people.

This politics of NSCN-IM posed a serious challenge to the integrity among different communities of Manipur who have been living together for centuries.

Against this politics of NSCN-IM, different communities rose to safeguard the integrity of Manipur at all costs, resulting in a serious contestation between the two sides.

The NSCN-IM leadership cannot comprehend or believe in the integrity of Manipur from which none of the filial communities can be separated.

This could be discerned from the 'ethno-exclusive outlook' and their policies and activities rooted in this outlook, the UNLF asserted.

On account of this outlook, the NSCN-IM leadership could not view together the suffering of the people of North East region under the alien rule for the last 60 years.

The NSCN-IM leadership could not repose their faith in the united strength of the region because of their failure to identify Government of India as the common enemy.

Rather than pointing out the reality that the alien rule of India is the biggest cause for the suffering of Naga people, the NSCN-IM leadership has been misleading the Naga people by blaming the Kukis, Meiteis or Assamese.

Muivah is still unable to cultivate an inclusive outlook beyond the parochial politics of being anti-Kuki, anti-Meitei or anti-Assamese.

Such parochial outlook of the NSCN-IM leadership has made them convenient tools of the Government of India to execute its divide and rule policy, charged UNLF.

The recent events witnessed in different parts of the region testified that Delhi has been using the NSCN-IM to ignite communal conflicts in the region while extending peace-talk again and again indefinitely, it alleged.

The recent issue which broke out from Muivah's attempt to visit Manipur was a result of the permission given by Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram and the Home Ministry's instruction to the Govts of Manipur, Nagaland and West Bengal to provide security cover for Muivah's itinerary.

Otherwise, it should not have been any issue.

Maintaining that the State Govt's stand to ban entry of Muivah to Manipur was in conformity to the Indian constitution as law and order is a state subject, Chief Minister O Ibobi could have arrested Muivah and sent him to jail under NSA just like other insurgent leaders if he set his foot on the soil of Manipur.

Even as the Chief Minister's stand was similar to the people's resolve that Manipur's integrity can never be compromised, O Ibobi failed to see that Muivah's attempt to visit Somdal, Senapati and Tamenglong should never be made an issue.

However, even though the interests of Chidambaram and Muivah were different, both of them wanted to conflagrate the matter into a big issue.

The interest of the Indian Home Minister was to create communal tensions and enmity whereas Muivah wanted to re-build his waning political image among the Naga people by making it an emotional issue.

After their ouster from the base area of united NSCN in northern Burma, also known as eastern Nagaland, NSCN-IM leadership started devising plans to project Kukis as enemies of the Naga people to build a support base in Manipur after 1993 .

To realise this objective, NSCN-IM launched a pogrom targeting Kukis which resulted in a bloody ethnic clash between Nagas and Kukis.

Although Muivah's attempt to visit Manipur should not have been made an issue, the State Government failed to see the game-plan of Muivah and the Government of India.

Use of State forces by Ibobi turned out to be only facilitating the game-plan of Muivah and New Delhi.

Nevertheless, Ibobi should be appreciated for his bold stance taken at the crucial moment.

But it was most unfortunate that two civilians lost their lives at Mao Gate.

In the Government of India's plan to materialise the event, Muivah wittingly or unwittingly acted as catalyst.

Yet, the main culprit for the conflict and violence and the casualty suffered by the people was the Government of India, the UNLF alleged.
Assam, Arunachal & Manipur Protection Forum writes to PM Nagaland Post
Ever since the declaration of cease fire with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) -NSCN (I-M), 70 rounds of talks have taken place but nothing fruitful has come as yet. The separatist NSCN (IM) presented a 30 point agenda to the government which also included, beside the sovereignty to Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) matters relating to finances, taxation and the cultural heritage of the Nagas on March 2, 2010 while meeting with new interlocutor R.S. Pandey. They also met Prime Minister and Home Minister P. Chidambaram the same day.
On her maiden visit to Nagaland on from 5-10 April’10, the newly appointed interlocutor R.S. Pandey said India has a concept of “Shared Sovereignty” indicating a different approach over the Naga Sovereignty issue. In the meeting on 19th April’10, NSCN (IM) proposed federal relationship with the Indian Union with additional financial and legislative powers to handle.
Nagas did not have any independent political existence at all immediately before the British rule or during British days. There was no existence of a definite political structure that governs a clearly demarcated area of land which is inhabited by a people who accept this arrangement and have close contact with each other. It also demands that the political structure would be either monarchy, democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, dictatorship or any other structure that is universally accepted by political scientist as an independent, self governing and well- defined political entity or a nation. Other areas in the northeast like Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Kacharis had their territories and their kingdoms. But Nagas did not have definite and unified political structure nor did they exist as a nation. They were actually a group of heterogeneous, primitive and diverse tribes living in far-flung villages that had very little in common and negligible contact with each other.
Education did not exist and awareness about the world outside was totally absent. Each village was practically an entity in itself. A village does not make a nation. The head-hunting was prevalent, mutual suspicion and distrust was rife. People led an insular and isolated life. Internecine warfare was the order of the day. There was no trust or interaction between different tribes. In these circumstances, the question of a unified “Naga nation” did not arise. No one can dispute this historical truth. NSCN (I-M), the Church and other underground groups claim that Nagas were an independents nation till British conquered. Did they have a boundary for Naga nation? As late as the 1940 when British rule was almost over, a large part of today’s Nagaland did not even exist on their maps. Even Tuensang and Mon was under North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It was given to Nagaland on 1st December 1963 when the 16th State of Nagaland was carved out because of 16 point agreement with Naga People’s Convention (NPC) in 1960.
By early 1950s when sizeable numbers of Nagas were converted to Christianity and A.Z. Phizo took over Naga National Council (NNC) as president, the voice of Naga nationalism was heard and British missionary Rev. Michael Scott was very instrumental in all these development. He fled the country when a warrant of arrest was issued against him. Thus, the Christian countries, Communist China and Muslims of West and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) are behind the Naga secessionists. The Church provides them a common platform and helped the militant groups in establishing international connections. They present a distorted history and bogus claim of uniqueness. Thus, the question of sovereignty does not arise. The 16 point agreement caused the formation of Nagaland state which was the amalgamation of the aspirations of the people to live in peace, normalcy and prosperity. It was a covenant without a battle to end a senseless war. It gave Nagas worth and significance in the eyes of the world. The statehood gave the Nagas a sense of unity, identity and political entity for the very first time.
Tuensang and Mon areas of NEFA merged with new state. It established parliamentary democracy in Naga society and ensured that the destiny of Nagas would be decided and charted by the Nagas themselves and not by someone alien to their ways of life. At the same time recognizing the need to preserve their culture, traditions and customary laws, a special provision was added to the constitution of India. Article 371A of the constitution guarantees that unless the Legislature Assembly of Nagaland so decides, no act of the Indian Parliament would apply to the state of Nagaland in respect of religious and social practices of Nagas, Naga customary laws and procedures, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
In all respects these constitutional safeguards and 16 point agreement have given exceptional autonomy to Nagaland. What more do NSCN (I-M) and other Naga militant groups want? In fact, all the militant Naga groups including NSCN (I-M) have now degenerated into sere terrorism with killing of innocents, extortion, looting, intimidation, rape, kidnapping and threats becoming the order of the day. Gun culture is all pervading and the price for dissent is death. People are afraid to express their opinions and the straight forwardness that characterized the Naga society appears to have vanished. The leader who head the underground movement do not seem to have the vision, the wisdom, the democratic credentials and the compassion that are required to lead a people and run a nation. They run their writ through threat. They do not command the respect, they demand it from the people at gun points. Infact, they don’t have any respect from the people.
The Nagaland Church and a group of militant Nagas argue that even without a historical legacy, they must struggle for independence. Under the label of scholars and thinkers, there are some foreign funded busy bodies who strongly advocate that Nagas are not Indians and that Nagaland is not a part of India whereas Nagaland is a liability with nil revenue. Even the state of Nagaland does not have the resources, the expertise, the professional and technical competence and the machinery to manage the state affairs. They are entirely dependent on Delhi. But they want sovereignty or more autonomy and greater Nagaland only to be additional headache to Delhi. How can they survive without economic strength? However, it will open Pandora’s box.
The youths of Nagaland the vital section of the society feel that Nagas can do without bloody sovereignty if it means pulling the society back by hundreds if not thousand of years in terms of social evolution. They want to march forward along with the rest of the world. They are practical and realistic and know that dreams alone cannot provide bread and butter to the people. They are fed up of violence and killings and view India as a home for better opportunities. It would be extremely uncharitable and petty to denigrate such section of the society. Government of India needs to seriously consider these issues before jumping to hasty and wrong conclusions.
Ironically the Naga political dialogues have turned a blind eye of the rampant extortion networks run by NSCN(IM) in towns like Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung and elsewhere, its blatant use of violent coercion to ensure population support and its explicit hand in the small arms network running from Thailand to India via Myanmar and from Cox-Bazaar in Bangladesh. Manipuri trucks, passenger buses and traders are worst victim of forcible extortion by illegal Naga NGOs and NSCN-IM on NH-39.
The Government of India’s policy of talking only to NSCN(I-M) leaves out other affected diverse groups of actors with differences in personal experiences, perceptions, groups like the Naga civil society actors namely the Naga Hoho, the NNC and the other armed group the NSCN (K). Without them included in the dialogue table, the future of Naga talks will be limited to cease-fires and a means of prestige and status building for the NSCN (I-M) which does not represent the whole of the Naga community. The large section of Naga society including Tangkhuls to which Muivah belongs and the Semas to which Isak Chishi Swu belongs, question the legitimacy of the NSCN (I-M) as the sole representative of Naga political aspirations. Hence, there exists no concrete holistic vision for the future except the abstract and unrealistic NSCN (I-M) proposals for sovereignty for Naga areas which incidentally is not.
If one scans the ground reality in Nagaland more legitimate groups like Naga Hoho, Joint Forum for Gaon Burah and Dobashis, various Tribal Hohos and various Naga elders like Dr. S.C. Jamir, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, Reishang Keishing, Ramkuiwangbe Newme and the likes are the ground actors who have ardent efforts over the years to bring about peace in Naga areas. They have conducted people’s consultative meetings, spoken out against NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K) inter factional violence, declared an underground cease fire between all armed Naga outfits in 2007 and ensured that people have someone to go against the extortion and criminality of the armed outfits. The Nagaland state has failed to provide basic security whereas civil society has succeeded in a limited way to fill that security gap.
It must be noted that the NSCN (I-M) has continued with a rigid posture of sovereignty in the peace talks thereby creating obstacles to a reasonable solution to other Naga problems year after year so that it remains in business. The people of Nagaland, by and large, have expressed a deep seated desire to elevate their lives to a more dignified level and are tired of the delaying tactics and power methods utilized by armed outfits in their midst to extract their hard earned money from them. This has resulted desperation and thousands of Naga young people have fled the state to other places in India or abroad for peace of mind. Thus, the Naga people are getting more and more disillusioned with NSCN (I-M) on three counts.
i. NSCN (I-M) falls short in serious way. Most of its cadres are from Tangkhul tribe in Manipur and so is its leadership. It is rejected as an outsider talking on behalf of Nagas of Nagaland.
ii. The rationality of NSCN (IM) is under serious question especially with regard to its use of violence to establish itself as a credible force in Naga society and achieve its political objective-Naga Sovereignty. This has created an insecure environment. Rationality is, thereby, under question here on two counts - First, NSCN (IM) for sure knows that it can never defeat India militarily. Hence, its decision to continue its armed struggle in order to achieve its political objective has only come in the way of development of Naga society in a progressive manner. Second, the armed outfit thrives on a narrative of victimhood blaming all the ills of Nagas like economic and educational backwardness and poverty on the Indian state while cleverly hiding the actual truth that it is perhaps most responsible for the culture of fear and poverty that pervades Naga society.
iii. Responsibility: The practice of extortion which includes house taxes and work permit taxes in Naga inhabited areas by the NSCN (IM) have ensured that no private investor dares to invest in Nagaland. Sadly as a consequence, Naga youths who are well qualified, leave the state in search of a better life in other Indian states. The use of violence by NSCN (IM) has also created an atmosphere where people fear to venture out after dark in Nagaland, Manipur and Changlang and Tirap Dist. of Arunachal Pradesh. This is a sorry stated affair and tells badly on the NSCN (IM) as a responsible actor which it claims itself to be. How can one trust the future of an entire community as a brave and enterprising as the Nagas on an armed group that funds its daily activities through illegal and non democratic means? The answer is obviously negative.
Therefore, it is not enough for the Govt. of India to talk only with the NSCN (IM) in a conflict that has multiple stake holders equally affected by the violence. The government should seriously re-think in terms of institutionalizing an inclusive conflict resolution mechanism which has space for other Naga actors as mentioned above.
In view of the facts stated in fore-running lines, the Government must reject the concept of shared sovereignty or federal relationship or granting more autonomy in any form. The economic package is advisable that, too, to be implemented by a central agency in phase manner in Nagaland and other Naga inhabited areas without altering the state boundaries. This is to avoid the embezzlement of funds and implementation of scheme within scheduled time frame. A special cell is required to be opened with necessary infrastructure in Home Ministry to monitor the dialogue and implementation of developmental schemes pending final solution of vexed insurgency problem. Simultaneously, the law and order in Nagaland and Naga inhabited areas of neighboring states of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur must be brought under control. NSCN (IM) must not be allowed to use its armed cadres for forcible conversion into Christianity in neighboring states.
Now, Muivah is camping at Viswema village to enter in Manipur through Mao gate. The Chief Minister of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh has banned his entry on following counts. i. There is no ceasefire in Manipur (ii) There is warrant of arrest and a cash award of Rupees three lakhs declared to catch Muivah on murder charges and (iii) Delhi did not take Ibobi Singh into confidence while allowing Muivah to visit his Somdal village in Ukhrul Dist. of Manipur. It was also not spelt out that Muivah would not address any public meet and would not talk about greater Nagaland and sovereignty from the soil of Manipur. The Manipuris apprehended that Muivah’s visit to Manipur would be construed that claim of greater Nagaland over Manipur was genuine. It was also apprehended that the communal divide between Meiteis and Nagas would occur which might lead to communal clash.
This side in Nagaland the Naga Student Federation (NSF) in league with All Naga Student Association of Manipur (ANSAM) and United Naga Council (UNC) Manipur have caused economic blockade on behest of Muivah and over a thousand goods loaded trucks were stranded in Lahorijan, Bokajan and other entry gates. This has caused economic crisis in Manipur. The prices of essential commodities, domestic gas, medicines, life saving drugs, baby foods, oxygen cylinder, petrol/diesels and kerosene etc. touched sky. The stocks of many of these essential commodities are exhausted. The Central Government is required to make good the losses to Manipur due to 66 days long economic blockade caused by NSF, ANSAM and UNC.
After 15th June, when blockade was ended, Muivah is visiting different prominent places in Nagaland against the wishes of people. He has so far visited Pfutsero town in Phek, Pogoboto in Zunheboto districts. His entry was practically banned in Tuensang and Mon districts. He is now planning to go to Khonoma- Phizo’s village and Kohima Bada Basti. How and why is he allowed to campaign for Naga Sovereignty and Greater Nagaland? He is using the cease-fire for recruiting youths from Naga society, Muslim Community and Dimasas. Muivah is using its frontal organizations- NSF, ANSAM and UNC, Manipur to advance his mission. The Central government is requested to resolve this crisis. Naga civic organizations are appealed not to indulge in any such activities as economic blockade to avoid the sufferings of innocent people in Manipur. The Govt. of India is also appealed to improve the horrible condition of NH53 which is the main surface communication from Silchar to Imphal. On both the roads- NH39 and NH-53, Highway protection force including women battalion be deployed to prevent frequent blockade by NSF, ANSAM and UCM.
Hope your kind authority will not do any such thing which will prove detrimental to the interest of the nation and open Pandora’s box of problems in neighboring states.
Khagen Kalita, president, Guwahati, L.Surajmani Singh, secretary Imphal, K. Tasum, vice president, Itanagar
Eastern Nagaland struggles to come at par with rest of State morungexpress

The bailey bridges along National Highway 155, connecting Mokokchung to Tuensang and other interior districts are in very bad shape. There are six bailey bridges from Mokokchung to Tuensang- all in hazardous conditions. The bridges have exceeded their life span and have become life threatening. The metal sheets are no longer attached to the iron angles below and are scattered haphazardly. The Dikhu Bridge which fell apart earlier this year is still in same condition. Sometimes travelers have to get down from their vehicle to adjust the metal sheets for the vehicle to ply. The Nagaland State Transport department incurred loses of Rs. 12 crore last year, owing mostly to bad road conditions. The public works department had said that the bridges would be replaced with concrete ones. However, if not done soon, the bridges would no longer be pliable in days to come given the existing vulnerable conditions.

Dimapur| July 1: In 1996, a high level commission on transforming the north east constituted by the Union Planning Commission estimated that Nagaland would require at least Rs. 11,000 crore investment, to come at par with other states in India. 14 years on and crores of rupees utilised, Nagaland still is one of the most underdeveloped states of India. Notwithstanding the huge funds doled out by the Centre, development in the state has not been proportionate to the amount sanctioned. Within the state itself, development gap exists from district to district. Development has by and large been concentrated in some districts while others are struggling to come at par. Development in districts of Mon, Longleng, Kiphire and Tuensang has been very slow if not stagnant. Despite the additional fund allocations for these areas, development is yet to reach most people. Nagaland is faced with the challenge in the disparity between the ‘backward’ areas and the rest of the state.
The backward regions enjoy several fund allocations including the border area development fund (Indo-Myanmar border), backward area development fund and other backward-alleviation packages provided through the DUDA.
Apart from the state’s allocation of Rs.100 crores for the four districts, the Centre has sanctioned several hundred crores under special backward area development programmes. Judging by the amount sanctioned for the development of the region, Eastern Nagaland should have come at par with other districts. However, the funds have reportedly not been utilised judiciously and the condition of these districts remain poor.
Sources from civil-based organisations of Eastern Nagaland said that the DUDA fund has made “no difference” for the region. There has been no significant development despite the institution of additional funds. Sources said that DUDA funds are not utilised as per the “needs of the people but according to the wishes of the implementing agencies.” Last year the DoNER Ministry had called for proper and speedy implementation of backward area development programmes. But nobody is aware of the sanctioned amount or how the money has been utilised. Sadly, the 20 MLAs from Eastern Nagaland have not been able to effectively voice their concerns over the utilization of the funds either.
Further, neither the border area development funds nor the presence of the International Trade Centres, have managed to bring development in these regions. Reportedly, no major schemes have been undertaken under the border area development funds. The Look East Policy of the Government of India has only remained an imaginary line of divide, not providing any economic opportunities for the people.
Communitisation and the national flagship programmes are not implemented properly and there is very little accountability. A source in the Mon district administration confirmed that most national flagship programme like the MGREGA and Indira Awas Yojana- for which the state won the Bharat Nirman award for rural housing - is plagued with corruption and has several loopholes in its implementation. Road connectivity is weak and lack of maintenance has hampered the progress of this region.

Ten tourist spots of Nagaland Nagaland Post
Here we go! The tourist sites of Nagaland which make our state ugly. These are a must visit spots. There are still better and amazing places in our state to be visited and placed in record. Having visited these places I feel so disgusted and feel sorry for our people living in those areas. This is my personal experience which makes me to think, reflect and analyze where we are heading towards. Well, before we journey out, prepare yourself physically, mentally and spiritually to venture to these famous land of Nagaland. Good luck and happy journey!
1. Dimapur New Market:
Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland and New Market in the heart of Dimapur can be called the “mess of Dimapur.” A slashy-filthy market, a pumpy road, a stinking place and a hive for healthy rats, cockroaches, flies and mosquitoes. You look and think twice to take your first step. On a rainy day you can have a good swim on the slash of the place and get the fragrance of a stinking aroma. A rare scenic beauty in any town which is so distasteful to the eye, awful to the nose, harmful to the feet and unhygienic to health. Are we not ashamed?
2. Dimapur Airport:
The only Airport in Nagaland; a mesmerizing welcome gate to Nagaland. It depicts what Nagaland is and how Nagas are. This airport in some way sums up Nagaland and Nagas. On a rainy day, the Airport wears more of a small shipyard flooded by water. Outside the Airport, it is messy, shabby, slash and dirt. One wonders whether it is an airport or an unkept plants cultivation or an unwanted grass nursery. Welcome to Nagaland.
3. Dimapur Hongkong market:
Hongkong market – the pride of Nagaland shopping site. Every tourist and outsider longs to shop and have a glimpse of this well known shopping mall at least once if they are around Nagaland. In the middle of the arcade, you have an eye-catcher. The dirtiest lake or pond as one would describe it. The pond/lake gives an ugly picture and depicts the standard of Nagaland and Nagas. The pond boasts of garbage and rubbish all around. This is a breeding mansion for high quality export mosquitoes, and a place for emergency exit spot for all emergency natural calls. Come bathe yourself in this heavenly spot.
4. Dimapur Super market backyard:
A mess in the backyard. Slash, dirt and smell is the definition of the place. The sumo and bus stops of Longleng, Mokokchung, Tuensang make a perfect tourist spot for the passengers. Have a great day!
5. The great drainage system of Dimapur:
Walking by the sides of Dimapur roads, one can only wonder and express in amazement the conditions of the drains that flow in Dimapur city. One can stand by the side, open the mouth, close the nostrils and just say woh! Chey! Huh! And bring out huge spittle out of the mouth. Infested with healthy rats, filled with rubbish and garbage, the drains are perfect dams for generating unhealthy diseases and sicknesses. Wish you a smelling day!
6. Tuensang-Shamator road:
This road is the proud owner of National highway 155. Visit this site and take a drive through this road, you will never feel like turning back for a second time. You will hardly get an experience of this sort anywhere in the world. It stresses to a distance of sixty plus kilometers. You can either start a fishery pond or bathe yourself on the road itself. Believe me, a child can get drowned on this national highway-155. Bon voyage!
7. Wokha district village roads:
Do you want to jump and dance on the road? Wokha district roads provide you the best place for it. This is more for an adventurous people. The vehicle will skid and dance on the road in the rhythm of a snake’s movement. On a rainy day, mud becomes your shoes but on a dry day, dust becomes your helmet. Take a brave heart and venture to these land unknown but make sure to take dao and spade along and be ready to take shelter at any place and at any time. Happy trip!
8. Wokha - Merapani road:
The road is more of a record than a tourist spot. This road maintenance can enter easily into the Guinness book of record. The road which is less than 100 kilometers has taken four years to be black-topped but still remains incomplete. In other parts of the world, people have paved their roads at least twice in these four years. The people responsible may be thinking of the quality and are steady in their work but even this is doubtful because even without starting on the other end the black-topped on the other side are already giving way. All the best.
9. Kohima NST toilet:
This is a view to behold. Close your eyes, hold your breath and get in. Mosquitoes and flies are your unwelcomed companions. Any outsider will get a feel of what and how our capital is all about. It is really shameful. Manners forbid but the dirt and stench will make you forget for the reason that you came for. Wish you luck!
10. Kiphire - Tuensang town:
Want to get a glimpse of how dirty and shabby Nagaland districts are? Visit Kiphire - Tuensang, you can get a feel and taste of Nagaland and Nagas. This is really a wonder. Dirt and bad roads complement each other. No words can describe the feelings, just make a go for it and you will never regret. Happy stay!
Visit these sites and you will certainly ask yourself one question: Have those people who are responsible for the development and cleanliness of Nagaland not gone out of Nagaland at least once to see and learn the amazing development and cleanliness of other places and states? Wish you luck and have great fun!
Fr. Rhanben Ovung.