NNN: Naga intellectual what did you foresee with regard to the much hyped would-be Naga political settlement (talks between NSCN-IM and New Delhi?
Niketu Iralu: First of all I am not an intellectual. It embarrasses me to be called something I know very well I am not! I am only a Naga who, like everyone else, is deeply worried about our deteriorating crisis in which our society seems to be collapsing into itself.
To come to your question of what did I foresee? It was not difficult to see that the Ceasefire achieved by NSCN-IM in 1997 was a very helpful thing for all Nagas. And also that the competently organized NSCN-IM Consultations in Niuland, Bangkok, Hebron Camp, etc, were very helpful initial steps in the right direction. But that after those Consultations the IM group needed to go on to the next step, namely, get all the different groups or “factions” as we have come to call them, to sit down and thrash out together as leaders who have all made their shares of mistakes, the precise terms for negotiation for a political settlement that would be honourable and acceptable to all Nagas and to India also, and therefore would be workable. The most difficult issue for them would be sovereignty. But Nagas are clear only our national workers can decide what is right on this issue. If those who have sacrificed for our cause had honestly evolved a common position on this issue and told the people it was the best for us at this stage of our history, the Nagas would have fully supported their decision.
It was not difficult to foresee this to be the bold, game-changing step of statesmanship that was needed to be taken by the NSCN-IM. They had the priceless advantage over the others to take such a step, and they were the ones best placed and capable to take it and win all our people to stand together.
The NSCN-IM has for reasons best known to them and guessed or suspected by the rest of us, adamantly refused to take this step in faith. I have to say as a citizen, this is tragic for them and for the Nagas. I do wish the settlement we keep hearing is coming will be honourable, acceptable and workable as all Nagas desire. But I don’t see how it can be if only one group alone or a combination of the groups will bring it.
NNN: What could be the mind of the Indian leaders on the Naga issue? In what manner they like to settle the issue?
Niketu Iralu: I doubt Indian leaders have time to think about the Naga issue. Their minds are too preoccupied with the monstrous scams they have to lie about or explain away. At any given time this will be the reality with the leaders in Delhi. I think Indian leaders, meaning politicians, are too busy with their own concerns. So they think the carrot and stick policy will settle the Naga issue.
Can we deny we have become so addicted to the carrot that the stick is now used less and less! The new generation of Nagas must think in terms of going to the Indian people, the most important audience we Nagas must help to understand why our stand is so important to us as well as to India. If we go after we have given sufficient thought to all issues that are important for us and for India, we will be surprised by the response we will get from the Indian people.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/indian-leaders-think-the-carrot-and-stick-policy-will-settle-the-naga-issue-niketu-iralu/
