Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister noted that this trend is alarming for public survival, as even family members can create factions for extortion purposes.
By Imna Longchar, TF0M Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister, Yanthungo Patton on Saturday expressed concern over the mushrooming of “national workers” in the state, terming it a bane to Naga society. Speaking at the 75th anniversary of Duncan Bosti in Dimapur, Patton said that many groups have emerged in the recent past under the guise of “self-interest”. He pointed out that only five of the 28 factions in the state are currently under ceasefire with the Government of India.
Patton noted that this trend is alarming for public survival, as even family members can create factions for extortion purposes.
He claimed that the Government of India has offered Nagas a unique cultural flag constitution under the Indian Constitution. However, he said, though some genuine NPGs strive for Naga sovereignty, some Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) prioritize exploiting the public through taxes over resolving the protracted Naga political issue.
Patton appealed to the 28 underground factions to unite, emphasizing that resolving the Naga issue requires unity. He also advocated for a single tax system, urging the public to raise their voices collectively.
Former Home Minister Imkong L Imchen echoed Patton’s concerns, stating that Nagas’ greed and unrealistic thinking have caused suffering over the past 60-70 years.
Imchen pointed out that Nagas exhibit double standards, enjoying statehood benefits while advocating for independence, which is self-contradictory. He added that some cling to the romanticized notion of Naga independence, creating a fantasy that distracts from pragmatic development. Imchen emphasized that in the Naga political talks with the Government of India, there is a refusal to acknowledge reality, and a tendency to talk about grand things that they are unable to achieve.
In the programme, grandson of SJ Duncan, the late administrator, after whom the locality has been named, also gave a brief speech.
Retired professor, Chemistry, Dr RH Duncan Lyngdoh, shared his grandfather (SJ Duncan), son of William Alexander Duncan, who had died in 1897 after falling from a horse in Dibrugarh, Assam.SJ Duncan grew up in Shillong and embraced a Khasi identity, as his mother was also half-Khasi descent.
Lyngdoh mentioned that SJ Duncan completed his education at the Scottish Church College in Kolkata. He then joined the Assam Civil Service in 1942 and was subsequently posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, and Imphal in Manipur.
After India’ independence, Duncan was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills in 1949, and shortly after taking up the position, he worked towards the establishment of Duncan Bosti.