Someone trying to take people for a ride. But that's only a short-term scheme of things.
The ancient Greek wisdom belief that human race often walk backward into the future with their eyes closed and minds fixed on the past has a resonance for Nagaland and India as a nation too.
To push the idea of Naga insurgency - it is easily given out in the media and intellectual fora that the Nagas had declared independence on Aug 14, 1947 -- a day before India attained independence. The towering talks about Independence, National Security and related matters are ultimately a test of political mettle.
To kick-start the debates on the complex issue, it may be relevant to reflect that political Sovereignty alone cannot conceptualize and encompass the entire gamut of human activities and social endeavours. Sovereignty would mean numerous other things. There is a chance that the words 'Independence' and 'Sovereignty' would be like empty drums sounding the same jarring beats when there is 'no freedom' from poverty, illiteracy, inequality and disease.
Hence, there would be a few automatic questions after 'Naga independence' (after 194) was declared -- were these features of human existence also addressed by the 'independent' Naga Government.
Mere political sovereignty can only fulfill the partial needs and sentiment of the people. A particular line was pushed and the Congress party or the Government of India did not show the required vision to counter some of these false and half-baked concepts. A perception that 'New Delhi's rule' has been the sole cause of all problems in Nagaland or other parts of northeastern states had only led to unrealistic expectations.
The clamour for Naga independence could be respected because it talks about people's sentiment and to a large extent a vision statement.
These had side effects. At a later stage mythical and inflated claims have been made about 'achievements' and embroidered rationalisations of failure.
It is not without good reason that nationalist Naga leader S C Jamir wrote:
"The simple and gullible Naga people were fed a staple diet of Naga sovereignty, separate identity and separate homeland, without any attempts to outline or articulate the real meaning and essence of sovereignty". ('Naga People's Convention and 16 Point Agreement' by Dr S C Jamir - published 2017)
There are a few more aspects.
If Naga Independence was declared -- who gave the recognition of the same ?
It need not be a global body like the United Nations or so -- but whether some established nations gave due recognition.
Were foreign embassies and cultural offices of those countries established in 'Naga nation' ?
Did 'Naga nation' set up its embassies in some countries either in South Asian neighbourhoods or in the west?
Legendary Naga leader A Z Phizo had moved to London. The official records with the Government of India and as well as with he Govt of Nagaland - show the address as 'A Z Phizo --- 67, Danison House; 196 Vauxhall Road, London.
** What more should have been mentioned or could have been mentioned is left for the readers to reflect upon and analyse.
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| Phizo: NNC founder President |
A Modern Nationhood
Geographical togetherness, shared governance and economic and education advantages in 'staying together' have become important bonding factors. This can be examined closely in the context of people, territory and resources. In fact, it can be argued that sovereignty along with resources, people and territory only form the minimum and 'incomplete' attributes of modern nationhood.
In the context of Naga population spread across Nagaland state and also in Myanmar and other Indian states such as Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh -- there is a need to study the symbolic connect between the society (that is the people) and the Nation (or the Government). Now comes a vital query -- were all these catered to in Naga life right from Aug 14th, 1947 ?
It may be also argued that an individual, while drawing strength from the people around (society) and the nation (a Government) is nevertheless an entity - 'separate' from both. The refrain that an individual would need protection from both the society and the Government actually originated in Europe.
In the context of Nagas it goes without stating that a 'western' political concept was imposed. Rather it was hurriedly imported on the Naga life and polity without trying to comprehend whether it suited Naga aspirations.
Thus, it's a matter of fact today that Nagas are paying a price for shouldering such foreign concept which had nothing to do with the Naga way of life.
A Z Phizo had himself said: "I have a very great respect towards our Naga traditions, our culture and our ways of administration which our forefathers have very wisely evolved and developed without a set of rules and regulations on human consideration alone".
Are Nagas in 2025 ever trying to cherish these values ?
Phizo also wrote in a letter to S C jamir (dated Aug 31, 1963) -- 'I have always been proud that I am a Naga even while some European writers were calling us all sorts of names....".
The Naga militants also abused power and emotion. Some arrogantly strutted around the villages and towns carrying arms with complete disregard for terms of the ceasefire and encouraged intimidation and forcible collection of money.
Extortion is now a racket in the new century.
At the same time, the Indian government and the security forces found themselves increasingly "constrained" by a well-orchestrated propaganda and media campaign.
Forces are good in Naga perspective or in media as long as they provide medicines and help in other social works like making bridges and educating youngsters. But there is a well designed campaign to keep the forces such as Assam Rifles 'branded' as anti-Naga or anti-natives.
Politicians did worse and hence "unable to operate freely", the forces more often 'lost' interests and even the initiatives to the insurgents.
Thereby law and order issues cropped up.
In the words of a former army commander in Eastern Command (in Kolkata), the weakening of the government apparatus and a growing lack of accountability only added to rampant corruption and legitimised unholy links between business people and the Neta-Babu combo in power in Kohima.
The state continues to suffer.
ends
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