By Michael Meiphami Shaiza
The current geopolitical landscape in Manipur and the broader Northeast has shifted from the localized ethnic frictions of the 1990s into a multidimensional security crisis.
For the Naga people, the present situation necessitates a profound strategic pivot—one that balances ancestral land rights with modern political survival.
To address the looming challenges posed by the Kuki-Zonam territorial demands and the perceived complicity of external actors, a comprehensive re-evaluation of Naga preparedness is required.
The Strategic Landscape: A War of Attrition
The complexity of the current crisis lies in its hybrid nature. Unlike the overt conflicts of the past, today’s environment is defined by sophisticated weaponry, disinformation, and the tactical use of civilian populations as human shields.
The demand for a Union Territory (UT) by Kuki-Zonam groups—often encompassing traditional Naga ancestral lands—represents an existential threat to the integrity of the Naga heritage.
The perception that central security apparatuses may be selectively passive suggests a “silent war” where the Naga existence is being marginalized by proxy.
In this context, the Naga community must recognize that old methods of isolated defense are obsolete. The adversary is organized, well-funded, and operating with a degree of coordination that requires a unified, professionalized Naga response.
Fiscal Mobilization: The 70% Mandate
To ensure survival, the proposal to redirect 70% of Naga MLAs and MP local area development funds toward a crisis management pool is a radical but necessary step in fiscal mobilization.
This is not merely a request for charity but a demand for political accountability. Those who represent the Naga people in the halls of power must prioritize the security of the soil over routine infrastructure projects.
These funds should be managed by a Trustworthy Naga Working Committee, a body composed of respected Civil Society Organization (CSO) leaders and clergy/ Chuches.
The inclusion of the Church provides a moral compass and an existing administrative network that reaches the most remote villages, ensuring that resources are distributed with integrity and transparency.
Socio-Political Consolidation
Unity across all Naga tribes is the only deterrent against territorial encroachment. A representative committee must transcend tribal parochialism to speak with a single, thunderous voice.
This committee’s role is two-fold: Internal Coordination: Harmonizing the defense and logistical readiness of all Naga villages to ensure no “weak links” exist for exploitation.
External Diplomacy: Articulating to the Centre and the international community that any administrative “solution” for other communities that overlaps with Naga ancestral land will be viewed as an act of aggression.
The Moral and Biblical Imperative
From a spiritual perspective, the Naga struggle is rooted in the stewardship of the land—a gift from the Creator that must be defended with wisdom and righteousness.
Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem serves as a historical and biblical blueprint: “Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.”
Preparation is not an act of hatred, but a prudent expression of love for one’s heritage and future generations.
The Naga people stand at a historical crossroads. The current crisis demands a departure from reactive measures toward a proactive, intellectually grounded, and resource-backed strategy.
By consolidating financial power, unifying tribal leadership, and maintaining a steadfast moral position, the Naga community can navigate this “sophisticated war.”
The goal is not the promotion of conflict, but the absolute preservation of a people, their land, and their dignity against any force that seeks to treat them as collateral in a larger game of shadows.
Michael Meiphami Shaiza is Co-incharge of BJP Manipur State Political Programmes and Meetings and President of Ukhrul-based NGO Ecological Rehabilitators’ Association (ERA).(Views expressed are writers’ own and do not, in whatsoever manner, reflect that of Ukhrul Now)
