In response to Mr. R.N. Ravi’s article Nagaland: descent into chaos

by: Lakpachui Siro

Mr. R.N. Ravi’s distorted, one sided, divisive and destructive article is rather disturbing to read considering that he himself have taken part in the negotiating table representing GoI in the ongoing Peace Talk between NSCN(I-M) and GoI. If this is the attitude and spirit of officials taking part in the peace process no wonder why it has taken more than 16 years to find a mutually agreeable solution. Every State try to be become one Nation and Every Nation aspire to become a State. This statement can be best described in the context of Indian State and Naga Nation. When Mr. Ravi argued that the NSCN (I-M) leadership has, however, failed to grasp the fragility of the fiction of a Naga nation imagined on the base of an ethnically fragmented society riddled with historical contradictions. It preferably suit more on the Indian State than the Nagas. Despite of various quarters of divisive politics played by the Indian State, dividing Nagas into two international boundaries – India and Burma and furthermore dividing Nagas into four States in Indian Union, Nagas have remained united in their struggle against the Indian State invasion of Nagalim. In the case of Indian State despite of being an Independent State for more than 60 years there are many ongoing movement against the imposition of Indian Identity in many parts and for sure one can easily find many historical contradiction in the concept and existence of Indian State.

Allegation against NSCN (I-M) is a cheap discourse and this is merely to derail the peace process. The recently held election in Delhi Assembly witnessed political milestone in Indian electoral politics. AAP was elected with the hope and trust that it will transform the system for the betterment. But how far it has achieved its promised is something everyone can see. When NSCN (I-M) function like an over ground government discontentment from section of people are bound to happen. Precisely, that is the situation happening in Nagaland State and with little bit of fuelling from Indian State machinery to further divide amongst various Naga communities this are something inevitable.

The question of NSCN (I-M) comprises of predominantly Tangkhul Naga community is a highly misleading and vicious agenda to further divide the Naga Nation. Mr. Ravi he himself is well aware of Isaac Swu who belongs to Sumi Naga community which is one of the largest Naga communities in the present Nagaland State. As Mr. Ravi rightly pointed out that NSCN has a multiple designated camps/garrison (in his word otherwise this are mutually agreed camps between GoI and NSCN as per ceasefire ground rules) in all Naga inhabited districts shows that there is an activ e participation and involvement from all Naga communities. Moreover, throughout the Peace Negotiation people participation was never absent. This can be best explained with the participation of various traditionally establish peoples’ organization like various tribals Hohos, Naga Hoho, Naga Mother Association, Naga Students’ Federation, Eastern Naga people’s Organization, United Naga Council, All Naga Students’ Manipur Association and others in the various consultative meeting organized by NSCN (I-M). Now if the ceasefire breaks down without any mutually agreeable solution Naga will eventually blame the Indian State, history will blame the Indian State as it is the Indian State that is unable to take the stand and position. -NSA