The meaning of MEDIOCRITY is the quality or state of being mediocre. At times 'anguish' sounds cry of a mediocre -- meaning it can be managed and even ignored.
But the ground situation is changing. Hence --- the fact that the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) expressing 'opposition' to the Pan Naga Hoho -a brainchild of NSCN-IM - is a serious development. The leaders from three communities - Aos, Semas and Lothas - had on Oct 28th written an open letter to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressing deep concern over the reported Pan Naga agenda in talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.
On Nov 11th; they took it to the next level in a consultative meeting which was also addressed by a galaxy of senior leaders. Former chief minister and ex-Governor S C Jamir took the lead in asserting that -
"Let us now feel that we are also part of the 21st century... and the world in moving very fast, scientific developments are taking place with maximum speed and yet leaders of Nagaland - both overground and underground are thoroughly obsessed only with the past".
"That is one challenge that we are facing today .... the main obstacle of understanding of the reality of the present political settlement and agreement ... one of the road blocks is our too much obsession only with the past. That's why they have not been able to see what is reality".
This is actually a call for being 'pragmatic' and embrace peace and tranquility so that there is development and free atmosphere for growth of the next generation. Jamir also said there are groups - both in underground and overground ... who "do not like to solve this problem".
Jamir is more than candid - when he says: "Some of the leaders of the overground are telling underground, you scratch my back, I will also scratch your back. And let us live comfortably".
The point is driven home. He has led the genie out of the bottle. And that is militants-Netas nexus. This is an area - where the Govt of India under PM Narendra Modi has drawn out a 'zero tolerance' policy. No amount of hobnobbing may save the wrongdoers if New Delhi is convinced of this angle.
The concerned stakeholders must take the elderly words of Jamir as a mild forewarning -- something ought to be taken seriously.
The CNTC should make it a point that the people of Nagaland should draw up a concrete political road map vis-a-vis 2028 assembly elections. They should be also careful what will go around in the name of Rajya Sabha election. The Kohima protagonists may draw up yet another 'parochial roadmap' for future protection. The CNTC MLAs have to show some guts when such a challenge comes from any non-entity political sycophant who may pretend to be know all.
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| File snap : Khekiye Sema |
Retd IAS officer, Khekiye Sema said: "... we have not taken one little step in advance" than what was there with Nagas ages back.
"It is about time we get out of that little pond and begin to think like everybody else (global stage)".
It is also time to consider the present situation of Nagas "truthfully".
The vocal retired civil servant said - "Phizo has said, Nagas are brave people and honourable but the moment India starts shooting money through the barrel of the gun we are going to be all destroyed and that's exactly what is happening here in Nagaland".
"Today, big or small, better check out all minds carefully, most of us are guided by money, money ..... and money day in and day out".
This is so factual and makes direct attack on political bosses who probably have been thinking for the last decade or so that 'money can manage' everything vis-a-vis Nagas of Nagaland.
Khekiye also said, the youth ... "the treasure of our future" have not been given any hope for their future from the present political situation.
And came his forewarning too -- "And the time will definitely come when the young generation will understand the reality and begin to stand up for themseves and say 'enough'".
Touching a raw nerve, he said, "Truth is a very scarce commodity in Nagaland ... and as of now is this .... let there be NSCN-IM, let there be NNPGs, they are negotiating for your and mine future welfare.
I am putting it very plainly, the two agreements by NNPGs and NSCN-IM are not agreements made by children".
He said time has changed and we are expected to change with time. Khekiye underlined that the competencies worked out by both the groups are "basically the same". He said the NNPGs competencies "are in public domain".... but the NSCN-IM is yet to 'officially declare' their side of the story.
Why ... it is not declared; "What is the secrecy" --- he thundered.
"What is the need of secrecy when it is our future". Then comes a rather key operative part of his speech.
Khekiye says - while Nagas of Manipur are busy fighting for their rights in that state and even taking part in rallies for 'integrity' of Manipur --but in Nagaland they (Nagas of Manipur) are sitting right "in our kitchen" talking and handling the Naga political issue.
He was also very specific -- the NSCN-IM is controlled by 'southern brothers' -- that is Nagas of Manipur.
"The Tangkhuls have got the NSCN-IM clamped down with an iron fist .... there are Nagas of Nagaland in NSCN-IM .... but I have only called window dressing.
"The Nagas of Nagaland in NSCN-IM may feel bad; but the truth is the decisions being made by the southern brothers, the Tangkhuls".
"This is not acceptable," he asserted. "It is our future and we have the right to know exactly what they are trying to decide".
ends
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