The demand for separate statehood by ENPO which has come into the open is heartbreaking news. The news has stabbed the hearts of the founding Fathers and Mothers of Nagaland. Hundreds of thousands of lives that were sacrificed for Nagaland could become meaningless. The news is the saddest news of the century for people who gave themselves for Nagaland and for the people who love Nagaland.
There is no doubt that the statehood demand for development and to secure to all citizens justice - social, economic, political, equality of status and of opportunity is a legitimate demand as rightly stated by the President of NPCC.
I feel it is every citizen’s duty to come out with the truth, for truth will only set us free and truth will only bring understanding and unity. Blaming cannot be the arbiter in the present case but the arbiter in the present case would be correction, prevention, consensus and cooperation. Beside many other issues, three issues need to be addressed immediately. They are Political, Economic and Implementation of Job Reservation.
Political
The question is above political party lines. Whatever may be, the Government of the day is responsible. The demand is a No Trust Motion against the DAN Govt. It is not only against the Leader of the House but is also against the ruling MLAs, particularly sitting MLAs representing ENPO.
I have cautioned the DAN Govt from the beginning that, the feelings of TMPO (now ENPO) should not be ignored. TMPO had made it very clear in a resolution to the people of Nagaland and the Govt of the day, that they desire “UNITY FIRST & THEN SOLUTION” and not SOLUTION FIRST & THEN UNITY”. I have reiterated in the meeting of Parliamentarians and Ex-Parliamentarians at Chumukedima Police Conference Hall that the Govt. is ignoring their feelings for too long. Because of this reason, I wanted that DAN Govt. secure a negotiated settlement to the Indo-Naga Political Problem and we assured in the 2003 Election Manifesto, the objective to bring suggestion for an honourable solution to which the people have given their favourable mandate. However, I became the lone fighter and my friend Neiphiu chose to throw me out from DAN to be free to pursue his policy to facilitate and support the ongoing peace process.
Today we all know the truth where things have landed. The policy is responsible for failure of the 13 years’ talks. The policy is also responsible for distancing ENPO and other factions. The policy is also responsible for earning bitter relations with neighbour states. Lured by materials of comfort and toeing the line of DAN Govt, ignoring the political and economic sentiments of ENPO, Naga Hoho, NPHMR, Naga Mothers’ Association and NSF are all functioning without ENPO. They are also responsible for the present situation of disassociation with ENPO. I want every responsible citizen to seriously consider whether NGOs should function without ENPO anymore and whether DAN Govt should continue to ignore the resolution of ENPO. Can DAN Govt. amend its ways and win back the Eastern Naga People and can ENPO repose confidence in DAN Govt? Or do we have to sacrifice DAN Govt for unity? Some decision must be taken by all responsible leaders of the day before the axe falls.
Further, factional politics in Nagaland is harming the society seriously causing damage beyond compromise. Today our social affinity and unity are seriously threatened. Factions are fractions and Govt of India and the world has no respect otherwise. A peaceful solution can be achieved only through consensus and co-operation. Solution cannot be imposed on another. Citizens can be subjects of only one Government. Now that we are closer than earlier situations, I appeal that together, we work out some structure of solution to resolve with the Govt. of India.
The NBCC and CNBC are the only strings by which we are hanging together. I appeal to all Nagaland people particularly the Congressmen and women to continue to work hard for unity and prosperity. Together we matter, divided we shall become insignificant and economically unfeasible. Divide and rule is the desire of all enemies and rulers. We cannot blame anyone if we do not learn how to live together. We shall only perish together like fools.
Economic Exploitation:
DAN has opened Development of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) specially for four Districts. Funds are allotted, CSS funds are provided as is desired but all the contracts and benefits are taken by contractors qualified according to the Chief Minister. The rules were made to disqualify others. All workmanship is questionable and most of the works are incomplete. Economic exploitation by the Chief Minister and his henchman is not happening only to ENPO districts but to all other communities in the state. Economic exploitation and Corruption of poor people’s due shares such as MGNREGA, PDS, Providing of Health Card and other Welfare schemes should stop. MLAs are expected to protect the rights and provide due shares to the common people. They are expected to plan and make laws for the welfare of common people. Instead, today ruling MLAs are found shamelessly grabbing poor people’s provisions that are provided and subsidized by the Central Govt. These are all factors why people have lost confidence in the Government.
Job Reservation Policy:
The demand of ENSF for job reservation was considered by DAN Govt which ultimately granted 25% reservation while ignoring other tribes. This ignoring has discriminated other backward tribes. We have no objection to 25% Job Reservation. Whatever policy may be in the reservation, unless the system is thoroughly changed to monitor the vacancies and ensure participation in process of selection, manipulation and discrimination will continue. Therefore, the implementation process should be changed to be more transparent in the process of selection. The Govt. should be faithful to what it commits.
Discriminations are caused by the Govt orders signed by bureaucrats. The bureaucracy of Nagaland should advise the Govt in the right earnest and go by the provisions of the constitution, rules and guidelines. They should not bend in favour of political party(s). We have found numerous cases where the bureaucracy is acting upon chits of MLAs, Ministers and the Chief Minister. The Honourable Court has quashed many such Govt orders. Repeating such wrong actions is an insult/contempt to the Honourable Court and they are liable to be charged with contempt of Court and befitting remarks in the ACR.
A note, I want to give to the backward districts is that, teachers’ qualifications are a factor responsible for all round backwardness and its continuation. Only qualified and dedicated teachers can give competitive education. Political mercy in appointment is wrong to be a source of employment. There is no job without skill and there will be no success without commitment.
I hope and pray that we change for better in the Blessed New Year.
There is no doubt that the statehood demand for development and to secure to all citizens justice - social, economic, political, equality of status and of opportunity is a legitimate demand as rightly stated by the President of NPCC.
I feel it is every citizen’s duty to come out with the truth, for truth will only set us free and truth will only bring understanding and unity. Blaming cannot be the arbiter in the present case but the arbiter in the present case would be correction, prevention, consensus and cooperation. Beside many other issues, three issues need to be addressed immediately. They are Political, Economic and Implementation of Job Reservation.
Political
The question is above political party lines. Whatever may be, the Government of the day is responsible. The demand is a No Trust Motion against the DAN Govt. It is not only against the Leader of the House but is also against the ruling MLAs, particularly sitting MLAs representing ENPO.
I have cautioned the DAN Govt from the beginning that, the feelings of TMPO (now ENPO) should not be ignored. TMPO had made it very clear in a resolution to the people of Nagaland and the Govt of the day, that they desire “UNITY FIRST & THEN SOLUTION” and not SOLUTION FIRST & THEN UNITY”. I have reiterated in the meeting of Parliamentarians and Ex-Parliamentarians at Chumukedima Police Conference Hall that the Govt. is ignoring their feelings for too long. Because of this reason, I wanted that DAN Govt. secure a negotiated settlement to the Indo-Naga Political Problem and we assured in the 2003 Election Manifesto, the objective to bring suggestion for an honourable solution to which the people have given their favourable mandate. However, I became the lone fighter and my friend Neiphiu chose to throw me out from DAN to be free to pursue his policy to facilitate and support the ongoing peace process.
Today we all know the truth where things have landed. The policy is responsible for failure of the 13 years’ talks. The policy is also responsible for distancing ENPO and other factions. The policy is also responsible for earning bitter relations with neighbour states. Lured by materials of comfort and toeing the line of DAN Govt, ignoring the political and economic sentiments of ENPO, Naga Hoho, NPHMR, Naga Mothers’ Association and NSF are all functioning without ENPO. They are also responsible for the present situation of disassociation with ENPO. I want every responsible citizen to seriously consider whether NGOs should function without ENPO anymore and whether DAN Govt should continue to ignore the resolution of ENPO. Can DAN Govt. amend its ways and win back the Eastern Naga People and can ENPO repose confidence in DAN Govt? Or do we have to sacrifice DAN Govt for unity? Some decision must be taken by all responsible leaders of the day before the axe falls.
Further, factional politics in Nagaland is harming the society seriously causing damage beyond compromise. Today our social affinity and unity are seriously threatened. Factions are fractions and Govt of India and the world has no respect otherwise. A peaceful solution can be achieved only through consensus and co-operation. Solution cannot be imposed on another. Citizens can be subjects of only one Government. Now that we are closer than earlier situations, I appeal that together, we work out some structure of solution to resolve with the Govt. of India.
The NBCC and CNBC are the only strings by which we are hanging together. I appeal to all Nagaland people particularly the Congressmen and women to continue to work hard for unity and prosperity. Together we matter, divided we shall become insignificant and economically unfeasible. Divide and rule is the desire of all enemies and rulers. We cannot blame anyone if we do not learn how to live together. We shall only perish together like fools.
Economic Exploitation:
DAN has opened Development of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) specially for four Districts. Funds are allotted, CSS funds are provided as is desired but all the contracts and benefits are taken by contractors qualified according to the Chief Minister. The rules were made to disqualify others. All workmanship is questionable and most of the works are incomplete. Economic exploitation by the Chief Minister and his henchman is not happening only to ENPO districts but to all other communities in the state. Economic exploitation and Corruption of poor people’s due shares such as MGNREGA, PDS, Providing of Health Card and other Welfare schemes should stop. MLAs are expected to protect the rights and provide due shares to the common people. They are expected to plan and make laws for the welfare of common people. Instead, today ruling MLAs are found shamelessly grabbing poor people’s provisions that are provided and subsidized by the Central Govt. These are all factors why people have lost confidence in the Government.
Job Reservation Policy:
The demand of ENSF for job reservation was considered by DAN Govt which ultimately granted 25% reservation while ignoring other tribes. This ignoring has discriminated other backward tribes. We have no objection to 25% Job Reservation. Whatever policy may be in the reservation, unless the system is thoroughly changed to monitor the vacancies and ensure participation in process of selection, manipulation and discrimination will continue. Therefore, the implementation process should be changed to be more transparent in the process of selection. The Govt. should be faithful to what it commits.
Discriminations are caused by the Govt orders signed by bureaucrats. The bureaucracy of Nagaland should advise the Govt in the right earnest and go by the provisions of the constitution, rules and guidelines. They should not bend in favour of political party(s). We have found numerous cases where the bureaucracy is acting upon chits of MLAs, Ministers and the Chief Minister. The Honourable Court has quashed many such Govt orders. Repeating such wrong actions is an insult/contempt to the Honourable Court and they are liable to be charged with contempt of Court and befitting remarks in the ACR.
A note, I want to give to the backward districts is that, teachers’ qualifications are a factor responsible for all round backwardness and its continuation. Only qualified and dedicated teachers can give competitive education. Political mercy in appointment is wrong to be a source of employment. There is no job without skill and there will be no success without commitment.
I hope and pray that we change for better in the Blessed New Year.
K. THERIE, Former Finance Minister,
Nagaland.
