Sevotso Seyie
Kohima Town
Truth is better to swallow but it always awake one’s conscience to accept the reality. It also enlightens one to take a corrective course of action in life. Therefore, it is high time for the Nagas to realise that there is a loophole in the Naga Political Struggle. Nagas have been always putting the blame on the Britishers, the Government of India and Burma for the creation of an artificial boundary demarcation that had separated them to live apart today. Nagas have been keep on shouting at the top of their voice proclaiming of their related rich culture and traditions, heritage, unique historical, political and God’s given rights. Yet in reality, it seems that the Naga themselves were not ready for neither Naga integration nor freedom from the very beginning.
History tells us that when there was every possible chance of getting Naga integration during 1960-63, the Southern Nagas of today’s Manipur state had refused it by declaring that they were comfortable with the Meites of Manipur which at that point of time, Manipur too was yet to attain its statehood. Nagas from Nagaland had tried their best in every possible way for Naga unification or in other words, Naga integration by even forming of integration committee and persuaded them to live together as one Naga family and one race but unfortunately that had gone in vained as they (Southern Nagas) on the other hand, had passed a resolution against the said Naga integration during that period in the general public meeting held at Ukhrul it further proclaimed. In fact, this story has disheartened the Nagas of Nagaland and created distrust to a great extend. Thus, they had committed a great political blunder intentionally or unintentionally.
Furthermore, while the Nagaland State Government has passed the resolution (6 times) for Naga integration in the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister of Manipur State Government who were than Naga’s had declared that not even an inch of their land would be parted with the Nagaland in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. As, such, it has now become a clear case of Nagas refuses to be united or integrated but at the same time, keep on fighting for their nationhood or sovereignty.
On top of it, no talk without integration (non-negotiable) come what may, should have been the ultimate demand of the Naga National groups in the first place. However, it was agreed in principle with the Government of India by the negotiating Naga National Groups who are currently involves in the Naga peace talk to address the issue of Naga integration through due democratic process in future only after the present political negotiation final settlement is again regrettable too.
Therefore, it has now become paramount for the Southern Nagas of today’s Manipur State too to come out openly by publicly discarding of past declared “volition” as transparency and Accountability within the Nagas is the need of the hour for restoring trust and unity. Nagas are democratic but temperamental in nature.
Then only then, with a renew vigour, courage and determination, the future generation can together on the same side unitedly go on fighting for their rights till they achieve their final goal lest it will be like fighting for a lost cause. Nagas cannot with a half-hearted intention or determination fight for their independent. Also, we must not forget that the world too is watching closely how serious and realistic the Nagas are in their fight for their rights and freedom.
God bless the Nagas.
