[ Aga Rengma ]
Our elders tell us of a time when the Naga national movement was not just a cause – it was a shared conviction, sustained by the people’s unwavering faith. Villagers gave their last grain, their hard-earned money, and their livestock – not out of fear, but out of devotion. There was no coercion, no demand -only a sacred bond between the people and the movement.
But where do we stand today?
That sacred bond has been broken. The very people who once offered their last grain in support now live in fear, resentment, and exhaustion. The Naga people are fed up – fed up with illegal taxation, intimidation, extortion, and corruption. Factions that were meant to stand as pillars of our struggle have become weights dragging us down. Instead of inspiring faith, they instil fear. Instead of fostering unity, they breed division. Instead of dignity, they bring disgrace.
Is this the future our ancestors fought for?
If two lines run perfectly parallel, no matter how far they extend, they will never meet nor drift apart -like the rails of a train track. But if there is even the slightest deflection, no matter how negligible, the difference may seem unnoticeable at first. Over time, however, the gap will widen until the lines are worlds apart. And when train tracks diverge, they do not simply drift; they derail.
This is the reality of the Naga people today
There was a time when we were closer than ever to becoming a united nation. But somewhere in our past, a slight deviation occurred. It did not begin as betrayal but as ideological differences among our leaders – differences that should have been resolved through dialogue but instead became permanent rifts, exploited by adversaries and deepened by distrust. This misalignment reached a breaking point with the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975. What was once a single track towards sovereignty fractured into many, each faction convinced that its path was the true one.
At first, the divisions seemed manageable. But as years passed, personal ambitions, external interference, and deep-seated distrust widened the gap. If we do not correct this deflection now, future generations will inherit not a legacy of sovereignty, but one of endless fragmentation. A train running off-course can still be brought back before disaster strikes – but only if action is taken in time.
To the 28 factions of national workers:
The world is watching, and what was once a movement of pride has become a symbol of disunity. If even one of you claims to fight for the Naga people, then ask yourself: how does division serve them?
True warriors do not fight among themselves while their homeland suffers. True leaders do not seek power, but unity. If unity is truly our goal, then let us begin by seeking common ground – not for personal gain, but for the dignity of our people.
Leadership is not about commanding followers but about bringing adversaries together for a greater cause. If we cannot find common ground today, there may come a time when there is no ground left to stand on. Let us rise above past wounds, ideological disputes, and personal differences. Let history remember that when the time came, Naga leaders chose unity over division, dignity over disgrace, and courage over fear.
To civil society:
We cannot expect our leaders to unite if we, the people, remain divided. The spirit of the Naga movement was built on collective strength, not individual interests. A movement without the people’s backing is a structure without a foundation.
If we demand unity from our leaders, let us first embody it ourselves. No tribe, no village, no political group can claim to stand alone. If we wish to heal our nation, let us begin by healing our own divisions.
Let civil society take the lead in hosting public discussions, mediation efforts, and grassroots initiatives that bridge divides. Let us create spaces where trust can be rebuilt, where misunderstandings can be addressed, and where a new generation of Nagas can see that unity is not a distant dream but a living reality. History will not remember our wealth, our politics, or our temporary victories. It will remember whether we stood united when our people needed us most.
I am but an ordinary layman. But as a Naga and as a father, I refuse to accept that division is our destiny. I dream of a future where our children walk on a path paved with unity, not division.
We are at a crossroads. Let us not be the generation that allowed the road to split further. Let us be the generation that found our way back to one. (The contributor is interim convener, Western Naga Youth Front.)
