“Let the Naga people also see the light of the day”. This line is an excerpt from an article recently written by Padma Bhushan, Ex-Chief Minister of Nagaland and Governor of Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. The most respected Dr. S C Jamir. His life exemplifies conviction, courage and commitment towards public service. Millennials and Gen Z should be thankful to God for keeping him healthy. As a nanogenerian and the only surviving signatory of the visionary 16- Point Agreement, he still stand tall and showers his wisdom to this Naga generation through various means.
The above excerpt from his article emanates his deepest and purest emotions of love for his people. This is the highest time that peace and unity in Nagaland and among various Naga tribes will be realized only through us, only through us and not through outside forces.
Over the years, through written records and in plain sight, Naga Nationalism has taken multiple turns more so into wrong resolve. Erstwhile NNC and the Plebiscite was widely accepted while post NNC evolved delirious caders with self-obsessed errands. Many decades have passed with multiple Agreements and accords, but Naga Nationalist Movement sees no ray of hope for the light of the day.
Ironically, every faction more than 30 groups claim legitimacy over the Plebiscite without a conduit. Naga Nationalism has ripped Nagaland into several fragments deviating from NNC’s stance. In point of fact, Nagaland’s desperate straits is the consequences of Naga Nationalist authoritative mode decades ago and dilapidated condition attributes to the consecutive Elected government condoning to their self-serving.
Over the years, in the name of Naga Nationalism many great minds have been butchered who does not genuflect to their deceiving greed. In the name of Naga Nationalism the so called ‘Nagaland for Christ’ is written in bold blood of innocent souls. Under the banner of Nationalism, land grabbing, exploitation, intimidation and interference in petty matters for personal proceeds has become order of the day.
Naga Nationalism for politician is to connive and a mere excuse to deviate from their bounden duty, to work and develop Nagaland. For most caders of multiple gangs or so called factions, Nationalism is a covered operation of cohorts to exploit Nagaland and keep our state at abyss. Barrel supremacy has become obsolete and the elected government should not cow down for the government is people centric and factions an outlawed. Elected Representatives and the government of Nagaland should stop gratifying cohort of outlawed gangs to halt their existence.
Those dark stories of pre and post 16 point Agreement and counter uprisings should not define our future. Past incidents and heroic sacrifices of true Naga should be a pathway for developed Nagaland and not otherwise. Time for people of Nagaland to realise and accept the fantastic road ahead rather than stuck in fantasy.
People of Nagaland should mend avenues to harvest the long cherished dream rather than being in dark Utopian world. For the people of Nagaland to see the light of the day is by accepting the reality and March towards prosperity. GOD BLESS MY NAGALAND
Likao Odyuo
Friday, November 14, 2025