The Government of India has hinted that a solution acceptable to both sides maybe round the corner by the end of 2011. An honourable solution is expected according to NSCN (IM). The problem and the irony I see here is that the G.O.I. has time and again declared that any solution outside the Indian Union is Non-negotiable. So what exactly is an honourable solution? Honestly I have no idea. Also, I do not have an inkling of the honourable solution that is being discussed for me and my fellow Nagas at Delhi and elsewhere. But I do know that Jammu & Kashmir was granted by the G.O.I. in the late forties and early fifties their own constitution, a parliament and a flag of their own to boast of! Where do they stand today? Are they not today a part and parcel of the Union of India?
We Nagas too maybe granted our own parliament, a constitution and a flag too but so long as such affidavits are within and under the union of India, I, as an educated Naga, would never accept it as an honourable solution under any circumstances. Such categories according to Indian constitution are categorized as protectorate state. Past examples are J & K, Sikkim and Manipur.
As a true Naga citizen, I welcome any solution so long as peace prevails, so long as you and I can draw our salaries or establish a small business without fear of being looted or taxed each month but, that solution must never be the final solution. I would, indeed, for the time being and without a second thought opt for the 16th point agreement (1961) if implemented in full instead of a permanent and an honourable solution under the union of India!
I believe that Nagaland is yet to give birth to the man or woman gifted with wisdom, with the right qualities of leadership and statesmanship to lead Nagaland towards a final and permanent solution. My strong opinion, therefore, is to accept a kind of interim agreement to ensure peace and all-round development of our land and leave the final decision to be taken by our future generation.
Signing away any permanent affidavits/agreements in connection with the Indo-Naga conflict appears to be too immature and too great a risk at this juncture for, if the aftermath result proves to be negative to what all Nagas have been so dearly yearning for, we dare not imagine the consequences we may have to face in later years.
No offence intended to anyone and none will be taken I hope.
Tia Longkumer
Arkong Ward, Mokokchung
(This article is being reprinted because of deletion of certain sentences through oversight. This is the corrected version.)
We Nagas too maybe granted our own parliament, a constitution and a flag too but so long as such affidavits are within and under the union of India, I, as an educated Naga, would never accept it as an honourable solution under any circumstances. Such categories according to Indian constitution are categorized as protectorate state. Past examples are J & K, Sikkim and Manipur.
As a true Naga citizen, I welcome any solution so long as peace prevails, so long as you and I can draw our salaries or establish a small business without fear of being looted or taxed each month but, that solution must never be the final solution. I would, indeed, for the time being and without a second thought opt for the 16th point agreement (1961) if implemented in full instead of a permanent and an honourable solution under the union of India!
I believe that Nagaland is yet to give birth to the man or woman gifted with wisdom, with the right qualities of leadership and statesmanship to lead Nagaland towards a final and permanent solution. My strong opinion, therefore, is to accept a kind of interim agreement to ensure peace and all-round development of our land and leave the final decision to be taken by our future generation.
Signing away any permanent affidavits/agreements in connection with the Indo-Naga conflict appears to be too immature and too great a risk at this juncture for, if the aftermath result proves to be negative to what all Nagas have been so dearly yearning for, we dare not imagine the consequences we may have to face in later years.
No offence intended to anyone and none will be taken I hope.
Tia Longkumer
Arkong Ward, Mokokchung
(This article is being reprinted because of deletion of certain sentences through oversight. This is the corrected version.)
