Peace Activists from Nagaland and Manipur seen here sharing experiences with each other at the Nagaland-Manipur Peace Activists’ Meet, underway at Life Spring Corner, Dimapur, May 13.
Paradigm shift from ‘grand narratives’ to ‘creative imagination’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 13
The inability to understand the ethnic identities and unique historicity of peoples living in the North East region of the Indian sub-continent has produced “new injustices and new conflicts.” These can be resolved only through a “paradigm shift” from “grand narratives” of the ‘nation-state’ to a “creative imagination” for shared humanity.
This would create the much-needed onus for peace in the region. How? Ways forward were deliberated upon through sharing experiences at the Nagaland-Manipur Peace Activists’ Meet underway at Life Spring Corner, Khermahal, from May 13 to 14. The Meet has been organised by the North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC), Guwahati, along with Oriental Theological Seminary, Dimapur, in collaboration with Peace Channel, Dimapur.
“We must shed dogmatic idealism of the past—living in the past is making us slaves of the present,” noted Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, while delivering the keynote address here today. Hard etched radical views developed among the “ethnic tribal” groups of the region in response to “hegemonic” Indian nationalism imposed upon the region from the middle of the 20th century. “Ethnic-tribal-nationalism” emerged in order to “counter the aggression of the hegemonic political unit,” maintained Dr. Wati.
At the social, political and geographical peripheries of the nation-state, these groups existed in political spaces of “self governance and independence.” Here, they created their “own unique histories.”
Disregarding all of this, over the past half century, “most ethnic-tribal identities have been forcefully subdued in favour of state controlled mechanisms or have been co-opted into the dominant political regime through narratives of peace, development and nation-building,” he explained.
At the heart of resolving “new conflicts” is, thus, the recognition that “every ethnic-tribal group has a social and political identity and a history.” Their historicity, said Dr. Wati, is “an essential element of their lived-ness and aspirations.” From this is derived a “social and political destiny” that is “intrinsic and inevitable” and “ultimately legitimised as universal human values.”
While the resolution of these “new conflicts” would require a deviation from “conventional diplomacy, militarism or the political offer of the stick and the carrot,” a genuine move towards peace will require “de-constructing” the dominant narrative of sovereignty. Till date, however, the Government of India has “not taken seriously the ethnic-tribal paradigm,” continuing to stigmatise these groups and denying them “any serious political hearings.”
“A diplomacy without ethical will and a politics without a global ethic always produces new injustices and thus new conflicts, and new wars,” the FNR Convenor maintained.
This applies also to ethnic-tribal groups of the region that should recognise that “all identities are unique” and this uniqueness is “never at the expense of the other.” All peoples’ basic democratic rights can be guaranteed and implemented by recognising this, and applying “creative imagination” that sheds “dogmatic idealism” of the past.
While the inaugural session was chaired by Peace Channel’s Fr. CP Anto, a discussion on the issues raised, participants from Nagaland and Manipur shared notes on peace engagement in a session chaired by NESRC’s Dr. Walter Fernandes.
“It is important for us to listen to, and learn from, each other,” observed Dr. Fernandes, listening to, and encapsulating, a host of issues brought up by peace activists from the region. The platform aptly created the much-needed space for dialogue, and perhaps an ensuing shared humanity, of people/activists of the region. As Dr. Pangernungba Kechu from OTS put it, “there is much moral and creative imagination in the North East region but structural violence needs to be overcome through dialogue.”
Role of Church and women in peace building
The evening session of the Nagaland-Manipur Peace Activists’ Meet discussed the role of the Church and participation of women in peace building. A section of Naga church leaders were of the view that the Church being the “most potential and permanent institution” in the context of Naga society, cannot totally separate itself from politics. Suggesting that the Church should play a guiding role in peace building, a church leader referred to the Church in Nagaland as a “sleeping lion” and that it was time to wake up the lion.
Another peace activist from Manipur also concurred by saying that the role of the Church is not only spiritual but also secular. Some women activists were of the opinion that women’s say were limited in affairs of the Church and that it needs to shed the patriarchal leanings.
Another participant suggested that the Church be more effective in peace building and not only dwell on the spiritual aspects but also organize events like peace through sports and other secular activities for the youth.
Besides the apex tribal organizations and the Church, a Naga peace activist informed that the “social media” was an emerging force and already creating a revolution in Nagaland by highlighting corruption, social evils and menaces including extortion, which are also roadblocks to peace.
‘Our future depends on understanding each other’
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | May 13
The 2nd Round Table Meet between Assam and Naga civil societies under the aegis of Asom Sahitya Sabha and Naga Hoho was held here today at Hotel Japfu.
Naga Hoho president P. Chuba Ozukum said “if we have goodwill towards each other and a unity of purpose, definitely we can overcome the challenges.
Commenting on the unsettled inter-state boundary issue, Ozukum said “we cannot allow such issues and situations to hold us ransom forever and hindering us from having a good neighborly relationship.”
He added that with a political settlement to the Naga issue expected soon, Nagas and the Assamese have to live as neighbors no matter what. Stating that Assamese-Naga relations have a “glorious past,” he urged rejuvenation of that relationship through cooperation and interdependency.
“We can definitely help create an environment of trust where the people-to-people contact and relations are enhanced. We have tremendous faith on human capacities and goodness,” he said.
Asom Sahitya Sabha president Dr. Druva Jyoti Bora meanwhile called for inclusiveness, while urging efforts to ensure that there is no more conflict between the two states.
He also stressed on the need to have discussions frequently and resolve the issues that arise from time to time. Addressing the inaugural function as the chief guest, former minister of Nagaland Tiameren Aier questioned the seriousness of political leaders in solving the Assam-Nagaland border by casting aspersions on each other without any achievement.
Maintaining that civil societies are trustworthy, he said that a continuous dialogue between the Assamese and Nagas through enhanced cultural exchanges, trade and business and people-to-people contact would help bringing an amicable solution.
“Unless we stand up together, the governments, including the Centre and States will continue to have excuses and the problem will remain unresolved.” In this, he called upon the civil societies of both the state, i.e. the Asom Sahitya Sabha and Naga Hoho to convince the respective government to resolve the issue amicably.
He further called upon the younger generation to take the responsibility of upholding the age old neighbourly relation, with the wisdom of elders as a guiding force.
Also addressing the gathering as the guest of honour, Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for PWD (Housing) Er Levi Rengma said: “We must remember and also accept the fact that the Assamese and Nagas have to live together as neighbors whether we like or not.”
He cautioned that continuing the misunderstandings by looking at the past mistakes would prevent both states from achieving progress. Reminding that that being good neighbours holds the key to fraternal peace and communal harmony, he said “our future will depend on our understanding each other.”
Noted Naga peace activist Niketu Iralu meanwhile informed: “This Assam Naga dialogue is in the process of being established as a Forum- which will be a civil society initiative/movement for greater good of the society on the basis of the principles of democracy. It will work for strengthening friendship and fraternity between the people of Nagaland and Assam.”
Prof. Udayon Misra felt that people-to-people contact is immensely essential for bringing down wrong perceptions. He further hoped that the doors of this region would be opened up to ensure more constructive means of working out ways for the people to exchange their views and know each other.
The meet was followed by a technical session, open discussion and adoption of resolution.
Mention may be made here that the 1st Asom-Naga Round Table Meet was held at Guwahati on October 9, 2015, wherein the two neighbors resolved to strengthen friendship and fraternity and enhance cooperation between people of the two states.
