Unending saga: Guv Ravi flays those getting inspired by 'Maoist ideology': NSF, Naga Hoho back NSCN-IM

 Battle of wits:

None can be sure now who can bell the cat and bring normalcy between some of the stakeholders involved in Naga peace parleys. December 1 was Nagaland Statehood Day. For decades, the 'statehood' for Nagas at least major tribes was considered an achievement. 

But this statehood that was declared with so much pomp and gaiety is now being questioned? Or to be precise, some protagonists and organisations are suggesting that mere statehood is not panacea to the Naga problems! 

Guv RN Ravi said on the eve of Statehood Day, - "Since 1980, the people of Nagaland has suffered enormously by the guns of people from outside the state, inspired by by Maoist ideology and tactics."

The NSCN was floated in 1980 and this was the time around when Thuingaleng Muivah stole all limelight vis-a-vis Naga insurgency. Muivah hails from Tangkhul Naga tribe from hilly region of Manipur and was thus left out of the 'statehood process'.

Ravi further said: "Protracted armed insurgency and endless peace process have taken an unacceptable toll on the people of Nagaland". The target is obvious. 

In his Statehood Day message, Ravi also said: "In pursuance of their new found political ideology (pro-Left and pro-Chinese philosophy tilt of NSCN-IM), which was antithetical to the inherent ethos, values and customary systems of  Naga society, unleashed a cultural genocide , akin to the Cultural Revolution in our neighbouring country and killed thousands of Nagas including infants and women and tried to exterminate the tribal and intellectual leadership of Nagaland". 

of course, often considered as frontline organisations of NSCN (IM), the Naga Hoho has flayed Governor Ravi and also questioned the role played by 'founding fathers' of Nagaland state. The NSF also slammed Governor. 

"Did the founding fathers of Nagaland state spend a single night in the jungle fighting for freedom....?, the Hoho said in a statement while trying to question the merit of Ravi's statement. 

The Hoho also lambasted the Governor for creating "primary and secondary stakeholders". 

"Regrettably", it says - "Ravi's entire utterances are to crate division among the Nagas". 

 

The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has in a statement said: "Though there is no denying the fact that the creation of Nagaland did reap in monetary dividends for a section of the Naga people besides other tangible and intangible perks, it had only resulted in a more fractious Naga society and Governor's claim that it has been the best thing to happen to the Naga people only reveals his shallow understanding of the Naga history and also the narrow walls within which he has been trying to solve the vexed Indo Naga political issue".