Hopefully, new regime will tackle the problems
TR Zeliang has done a good job by quitting as the Chief Minister of Nagaland. There are reasons to this. First, he has saved the State from President’s Rule. Second, he has paved the way for a new dispensation to tackle the ongoing crisis over women's reservation. Differences between the Zeliang Government and various tribal groups, including the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), started early in January this year with the Government's decision to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in urban local bodies. Things reached such a point that law and order situation in this north-eastern State remained completely subverted. The tribal groups resorted to incessant protests, went berserk, vandalised and set ablaze Government offices and vehicles. The protesting groups' argument was that, by granting 33 per cent reservation to women, the Government was violating the Naga customary laws and tradition as protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India. In retaliation, the police intensified firing — there were bandhs and curfews in the State, which led to the loss of two lives in Dimapur. Ultimately, the Zeliang Government called off the civic polls, after which the tribal groups began pressing for Zeliang and his entire Cabinet to step down. So, he succumbed to pressure yet again, stepping down and making way for a leader from his own party, the Naga People's Front. Zeliang’s resignation has raised the lingering hope for peace to be restored in the State, but the new leader has an onerous though not-so-impossible task to set the tone for renewed political engagement with the agitating tribal groups and the administration. While engaging with the tribals, efforts must be made to not completely submit to the dikats of the agitating groups.
Clearly, the Nagas cannot have both ways — on the one hand demand development, recognition, and better integration with the Indian Union. And, on the other play around with the importance of participation of women in a largely patriarchal society and pressure the Government by indulging in violence every now and then to have their way. It is a travesty of democracy when law and order goes for a toss. There are peaceful and legitimate ways to deal with a problem. On its part, perhaps, the Zeliang Government too did not extend a helping hand by way of indulging in engagement with the tribal groups. Not only did Zeliang fail to engage with them politically, but he also did not see reason. Instead of enforcing law and order, he declared the civic body polls as null and void, which further fuelled the situation. Whatever be the past follies, the fresh political dispensation should renew faith by way of finding a middle ground. What is disheartening is that a similar situation is playing out in Manipur for the past three months, where various Naga groups had been protesting against the Government's decision to carve seven new districts in the landlocked State. Although matters between the Government and the groups are being discussed, why should the crisis have arisen at allIJ The North-East is an integral part of this country and is important to the nation’s development. Preserving culture and tradition is one thing that cannot and must not be compromised. But resorting to violent ways to do so, is definitely not the way.