There is no intent to glorify Naga insurgency. It has its elements -- the negativity being one of them.
Not all battles and their implications could be understood easily. This is precisely the story of NNPG - the Naga National Political Groups.
This is precisely N Kitovi Zhimomi, the convener of the umbrella organisations of over half-a-dozen Naga militant groups, has been included in the list of 'newsmakers' along side two serving Chief Ministers.
There is a paradox of trust. Kitovi and his men trusted former Nagaland Governor R N Ravi, who was shunted out to Tamil Nadu before the final peace pact was inked. But the NNPG leaders had already okayed 'the Agreed Position' on Nov 17, 2017. And now the time is running out.
Can pain can be a catalyst for healing? Who knows how the 17th day of November, 2023, passed for them; but Kitovi is feeling pressure ? What will happen if the final peace pact does not materiaise? Rather what should happen?
"History is not in our hands, it is the legacy. But we have to be pragmatic," Kitovi said a few years back; and he is still insisting on the same logic and philosophy. But having been in a world of 'clashes and violence', he needs to assure and ensure that Peace and a final agreement is delivered at the earliest.
In 2023 April, he seemed to appreciate the complexity of life and a few constitutional provisions as stated in the Indian Constitution; and thus he said -- "We Nagas have reached a critical stage of our history. Everyone wants a good future for our youths. But for MNC money we need permanent peace. And for permanent peace, there is need for Solution".
Kitovi told me in an interview -- that if Solution does not come, people will be more frustrated.
"For NNPG, the top most priority is the future of youths," he maintained and went onto add that unlike some, the NNPG is not after easy flow of cash.
"We are not begging packages....we are eyeing the planned economic growth instead".
"The Article 371A of course prevents everyone from forcing Naga people to eat spicy Dal prepared in Delhi (jn reference to central laws), the Nagas can decide whether they should eat the Dal made in Delhi but at the same time the Article 371A actually does not allow the Nagas to eat their own Naga dal". (as reported also in 'Nagaland Page')
By stating this Kitovi in effect maintained that while rich mineral resources and land resources remain there "untapped", the Naga people continue to be poor.
Kitovi also suggested that in certain quarters "unwarranted hype" is created around Article 371A. "The moot point is the Nagaland Assembly is not given the power to legislate any law pertaining to matters under 371A...There is cow and grass also a dog barking at the cow and this is to prevent it to eat the same grass," he tried to explain.
It's time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a call.
N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, is certainly one of the key 'Headline hunters' of the year as he presided over one the worst 'challenges' faced by his state for weeks and months. Things are still not clear; and ugly things are still not over.
The 'logic of us and the ideology of others' motivates the root cause of identity politics in the northeast. Many people died and a large number of citizens were uprooted. But Biren Singh has survived. No less than India's Home Minister Amit Shah told Lok Sabha that the chief minister will not be replaced because he is "cooperating" with the centre in taking necessary measures.
One fine day, Biren Singh announced that he will tender resignation. He faced blockade and the copy of the letter of resignation was torn off.
Guerilla and armed warfare is back. Miss India contests or so that happened just in April 2023 now seem a thing of the past. The high-yielding and low-risk game is back. Insurgency is also a skilled-industry !
The state's Double Engine government which was bringing in developments, good roads, bridges and investments now appears like a 'failed model'. The President's Rule should have come rather easily, but there is a cautious element -- let us not antagonize the majority Meiteis.
The state could then land into worse kinds of polarisation. But Biren Singh is almost a folk hero in many quarters and he is also promising to make Ukhrul the state's second capital.
Today, the Nagas and the Meiteis stand together despite tribal-non tribal differences. The Nagas have their own issues with Kukis, and in the past they "could not trust" each other.
In the mid-nineties, the Naga-Kuki clashes used to be a nightmare both in Nagaland and in Manipur. In 2001, when the Naga ceasefire was extended to parts of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, the Imphal valley burnt for days. But all these are past !!
New Mizo CM
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| Lalduhoma |
He also became became the first MLA to be disqualified from the Mizoram assembly in November 2020. He wore several shoes during his police career, including serving as the security in-charge of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982.
The ZPM and Lalduhoma promised the people of Mizoram a "much-needed" change from Zoramthanga's policies and also from Congress.
The Congress strength nosedived from five in 2018 to one this year. BJP has won 2 in the 40-member assembly. The MNF could manage only and ZPM went away with the prize with their 27 seats.
"Expectations from ZPM and the chief minister will be higher than ever," says a wag and it is not without good reasons.
The outcome in Mizoram elections actually leaves a political lesson about Manipur and how the ethnic conflicts between Meiteis and Kukis ought to be seen.
PM Narendra Modi was to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Mizoram capital Aizawl, on October 30.
But he had to opt out from the programme as for a rare occasion the 'popular' Prime Minister staying away from Mizoram in the election season leaves a very powerful message.
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