The moment they reach Kohima with bags full of money, the birds of same feather flock together around the money and distribute among themselves only to be starved within the next few months. Because whatever money has been brought would not last long. When the unlimited needs are not fulfilled, some of them go for extortion with threat letters in the name of this or that faction. Even after that when their thirst for money is not quenched, they go for drug trafficking and illegal felling of trees. This disgraceful drug trade and liquor business has spoiled the Naga youths. In addition to all these illegal and evil practices, many patronize porno-video halls and indulge in sensuality.

Nagas don’t give a serious thought before spending money. It is not unnatural. The man, who does not earn, spends more because he does not understand the value of money. In the process, a privileged class has emerged in Naga society who believes in maintaining the status quo. They do not want change as any positive change may deprive them of their present privileges. This privileged class is everywhere. 

It is in political circle, in bureaucracy, also in underground organizations and among the Naga society. They exploit everything out of the chaotic situation in Nagaland. They can draw salaries without attending offices and pension money on fictitious names. They can draw bills without doing the actual works allotted. They can even instigate a section of armed groups to cause bloodshed if Delhi asks for accountability of money released by them. The net outcome is that Nagaland is still a lame state so far as state economy is concerned.

This is present day Nagaland wherein a section of Naga leaders remain ungrateful to Delhi for what Delhi has done to build up Nagaland. In lieu of expressing their gratefulness to Delhi, they blame Delhi for each and every unpleasant incident that occur in Nagaland. When budgetary funds are released by Delhi and money starts flowing to Kohima, many Nagas are heard saying, "India is pouring money to corrupt Naga youths". When budget money is finished in Kohima and Delhi refuses to grant extra fund, then also many are heard saying "Indians don’t want to see Nagas. They don’t want any development in Nagaland. Therefore we want independence". Whether a pumpkin falls on sword or sword falls on pumpkin it is immaterial who falls on whom because in both the cases it is pumpkin whose body is pierced. Similarly money or no money, a section of the Nagas is in the habit of cursing Delhi in order to hide their mischief and hoodwink the common mass.

Is this the Nagaland Nagas are admired for? We have been witnessing as to how past cease-fire agreements and accords had been entered into. Currently, the Government of India is having a cease-fire agreement with the NSCN (IM) since August 1, 1997 and also with NSCN (K) since April 20, 2001. Surprisingly, immediately after the agreements were signed and before the ink dried, the other section disowns. The hardcore dissidents took up arms and killed most of the signatories. That is how a genius like Dr T Sakhrie, first NNC General Secretary, was gruesomely murdered and thus, a long chain of victims of macabre murder started and went through including that of Dr. Irnkongliba, General Kaito, General Povezo, Chalie Kevichusa, Tobu Kevichusa, Dalli Mungro, Mozoullie and many more. The memory of the dance of death enacted in Thevopisumi village in July 1956 wherein 48 youths were lined up and killed altogether in one night, still sends shivers down the spine.

Dr. Hokishe Sema was brutally attacked. SC Jamir was attacked four times. JB Jasokie was always under police protection. Who will lead the Naga society if all these leaders are killed? It is not that those who wish to kill are in comfort. Many of them have also been killed in counter insurgency operations. The nation mourns for them too. And the lives of leaders in underground camps are more vulnerable to army bullets. Thus, the underground leaders are more in grief. But for what? This is a most pertinent question the answer of which Naga society craves to hear from the Naga leaders - underground and overground - at the helm of affairs. But we all know, they don’t want to face this question. When asked directly, they evade the reply by shifting to more convenient issues, very often to irrelevant ones. That is how all the agreements are not fully successful. Why? If Nagas want to find out a lasting solution why do they fail to unite and put forth a unanimous proposal for discussion?

This time also, people don’t think that Nagas will unite, because every Naga poses as leader. Nobody wants to be follower. They give convenient definition of a "Leader". For the Nagas, leadership does not mean simple living and high thinking. By leader, they mean a luxurious life without doing any hard work. For this reason community life and collective thinking is disappearing fast and idea of individual monetary gain by legal or illegal means is ruling the roost. They talk about Nagaland. But there is no Naga in Nagaland. One may be an Angami, another may be an Ao or Sema and for that matter any other tribe. But he is certainly not a Naga because he does not act like a Naga and does not think like one. Aos think of Aos, Angamis think of Angamis, Konyaks think of Konyaks. Where is a Naga who thinks of Nagaland and who behaves like a Naga? Mizos have emotional attachment with Mizoram. Similarly, Meiteis have emotional attachment with Manipur. They prefer to die than to sacrifice even an inch of their land. Where is that commitment and emotional attachment of Nagas to Nagaland?

If a Naga man is allotted a road repair work, he simply siphons away the whole money without doing the job. But he invests the same money in bringing luxury goods from outside the State. Thus, the money coming from Delhi reaches back to Delhi via Guwahati and Calcutta because there is no enterprise in Nagaland to retain that money. When Shri Loknath Mishra was Governor of Nagaland, hundreds of trucks laden with rice and other food materials reached upto the interiors of each district of Nagaland because of his initiatives. But during the rule of so called elected Naga leaders, nothing comes out from the FCI godowns. Where did all the rice and food commodities go?

If Nagas feel that Nagaland is their state then why are they so lethargic and averse to developing their state? They are not seen worried for the future of Nagaland. The moment Delhi stops payment from the Consolidated Fund of India which is the Indian tax-payers' money, Nagas will starve. This is the real picture of Nagaland. Still they boast. Because of the lack of Nagaism and emotional attachment to the land of Nagas i.e. Nagaland, this time also, nothing will come out. This time also, the dialogues will fail. It is bound to fail. I say Nagas lack foresight. Because of this, they are still suffering. They do not know how to obey their own leaders. If SC Jamir says something, his rivals start vehemently criticizing and condemning immediately without giving a serious thought to benefits of the common Naga public. This has lowered the prestige of Nagas in the country.

The Government of India has made it very clear that sovereignty of the nation is not negotiable. After June 14, 2001 social upheaval in Manipur, the formation of Greater Nagaland also appears to be a distant dream, because Delhi does not want Manipur in flames. Then what is the course left out? Involve all sections of people, Nagas and non-Nagas, living in Nagaland. Also invite concerned citizens of adjoining states since they are also affected, sit together and find out a consensus solution.

Manipur has accepted two Tangkhul Chief Ministers- Rishang Keishing and Yangmasho Shaiza. Meiteis can be convinced to accept Muivah as their Chief Minister if so agreed upon. Isak can be given berth either in Delhi or in Kohima. Khaplang can also be suitably accommodated. Simultaneously, leaders and cadres of all the respective factions can be properly rehabilitated. There are nearly 300 Naga villages in Myanmar which are virtually unadministered. Naga leaders can make a formal request to Vajpayee Government for doing the needful to talk to Myanmar and merge Naga inhabited areas in Nagaland state of India.

There are Naga leaders who talk of more autonomy to Nagaland but Article 371 (A) guarantees maximum autonomy par-excellence special category which no other state enjoys. What more can be given? A Naga can become a Prime Minister or the President of India. Justice HK Sema is now a judge in the Supreme Court, New Delhi and Justice Shishak is the Chief Justice of Chattisgarh High Court.

There is no racial discrimination as is there in America and Britain. India belongs to Nagas and Nagas belong to India. Think of Vajpayee and his colleagues. If he is inclined to grant more autonomy to Nagaland, he is answerable to the nation which would rise against him and his Government. Autonomy is not an apple in his hand. The nation is crying for war against Pakistan because the country would not afford to part away even an inch of her land. It is Vajpayee who is holding back the war whereas he has been empowered to attack the enemy country. 

In the context of Nagaland the nation can go to any extent in building up Naga society to have their own economic development at par with other developed states but will never compromise with the sovereignty of the country. And in extreme situation, the country would not hesitate even to wage a war on the eastern front too to keep the sovereignty of the nation intact. This is the character and commitment of the Vajpayee Government. Nagas should understand while negotiating with the Government of India for a lasting solution to the vexed Naga problem. In this situation, how can Vajpayee agree to the autonomy proposal for Nagaland? Therefore, Naga leaders are required to sit together and find out a lasting solution. 

The Naga problem is your creation and only you- the Naga leaders - can find a way out. For this purpose, what is required is the reciprocal humanitarian approach from both the sides. It should not be one sided only. The people in the rest part of the country are ready to share your grievances. Now also, they are doing for you. In future too, they will continue to do so. But you, the Nagas are required to display your solidarity with the country not in words but in action. Once it is done, you will witness a tremendous change in Nagaland. The whole scenario will be transformed to the happiness and pleasure of the Naga society as a whole. 

(Office of Accountant General, Kohima)

(All views expressed are that of the author's)

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)