Young voices for peace

Few issues in Nagaland stir as much emotion as the unresolved Naga political issue. Often described as one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies, it is more than a conflict-it is a story of identity, of tribes striving for shared consciousness, and of a movement that has shaped lives for over seventy years. What was once expected to culminate in a historic agreement has instead dragged on, spawning factions and deepening disillusionment. Against this backdrop, the emergence of a group of “like-minded” Naga youths under the banner Fed Up Nagas is both symbolic and telling. Their name alone captures the prevailing mood: frustration, fatigue, and a desperate plea for resolution. The youths insist they are not a political party, tribal body, or civil society organization. Rather, they describe themselves as individuals united across tribal, organizational, and regional lines-including Nagas living beyond Nagaland-who share a common demand: the urgent implementation of the Framework Agreement (2015) and the Agreed Position (2017). Both were hailed as milestones, yet their absence in practice has created a dangerous vacuum. Into this void have crept monopolies, syndicates, and corruption, eroding the foundations of society. Dimapur, once envisioned as a commercial hub, has been reduced to a “collection hub” where over thirty political groups and over a hundred unions and syndicates thrive on extortion and forcible collection. For ordinary citizens, unity now means getting together for freedom from harassment and the restoration of law and order. The youths’ critique is sharp. They argue that abnormal conditions have been normalized, with temporary arrangements calcifying into permanent dysfunction. Generations born between 1965 to 1980 and 1981to 1996 have borne the brunt of this uncertainty, growing up in an environment where instability was the norm. Their warning that future generations must not inherit the same burden is a powerful moral appeal. Decades of delay have not only scarred social and economic life but also killed merit, stifled innovation, and punished hard work. Prices are fixed by force, not quality, and syndicates dictate the rules of commerce. This is not the freedom the Naga struggle envisioned. Equally striking is their denunciation of gun culture. Weapons once seen as symbols of resistance have become instruments of fear, replacing moral authority with coercion. Ceasefires have not prevented collateral damage, and the public continues to suffer. This shift reflects a 360-degree turn in the movement-from defense to offense-where the people themselves are caught in the crossfire. The youths’ acknowledgment of this reality signals a generational shift: a desire for peace, dignity, and stability rather than endless militarization. The call for inclusivity, though familiar, carries renewed urgency. Whether it will be different this time remains uncertain. Over seventy years of armed conflict have produced immense suffering, but too often this suffering has been weaponized for narrow gains. Factions multiply, each claiming to uphold the true principles of the struggle, while unity remains elusive. The Fed Up Nagas movement is a reminder that the youth are no longer willing to remain passive spectators. They are asserting themselves as stakeholders in shaping the future. Their demand is clear: end the delay, honor the agreements, and restore dignity to a people who have waited far too long. The demand is simple but the realities are complex but if they walk the talk and stay on course; they will be able to make an impact.