chapter - vii naga model of development...
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CHAPTER - V I I
NAGA MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT STRATECg
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7. NAGA MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
In concluding chapter, ve propose to introduce the
Naga way of development model, which may improve the qua l i
ty of l i f e of the tribesmen. We have presented data on the
Naga socio-economic background, i t s demographic charac te
r i s t i c s and the land r e l a t i ons in the selected v i l l ages of
Medziphema block in the previous chapters . Our study reveals
tha t an alarming s i t ua t ion i s developing in Naga society
because of man-land r e l a t ions and a veiy f a s t growth of
population in the region. With the passing of time, s i t u a
t ion i s l i k e l y to be ser ious with f a s t e r degree in Medzi
phema block, where a number of ethnic groups have come from
d i f fe ren t d i rec t ions and now residing together within a
l imi ted land based resources. More problems are fur ther
i d e n t i f i e d as we examine the exis t ing socio-economic condi
t ions and also the s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l dimensions of the people
in the area . Our discussion in t h i s study i s based on the
data co l lec ted from the f i e l d .
The Naga soc ia l organisation and author i ty system
provide a base for evolving a model of development strategic
with p o t e n t i a l for facing the new chal lenges. This model i s
evolved l a rge ly on the socia l experience of Dlphupar v i l
l age , which have been described in chapter f i v e . This v i l
lage may be taken as the rep l ica of Nagaland in respect of
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demographic and ethnic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s as recorded above
in chapter two and f ive .
7.02. A Framevork of Transformation
Our presentat ion so far on Naga scenario leads us
to a general ised framework:
i ) t ha t the Naga socie ty represent a unique soc ia l
system - the soc io -cu l tu ra l d i v e r s i t y , the network
of soc i a l organisa t ions , man-land r e l a t ions e t c . ,
which draws the a t ten t ion of many scholars and deve
lopment p lanners ;
i i ) tha t because of such a background, the developmental
s t ra tegy designed for the l a r g e r society may not be
su i t ab le as i t may not take in to account the nuances
of the Naga s i t u a t i o n ;
i i i ) t ha t the same ru ra l development programmes under
d i f fe ren t names tha t are operating in India l i k e
IRDP, IRYdEM, RLGP, DWGRA e t c . have also been extend
ed to Nagaland without taking the exis t ing socio-
c u l t u r a l background in to account. Therefore, they
have fa i l ed to bring about a desired change, r a the r
even crea t ing new problems such as d iv i s ive , cr imi
na l and dishonest tendency;
iv) thus , the r u r a l development needs to be understood
not only as a way of counting of the schemes.
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persons benef i ted, amount spent and trying to make
the poor people cross the poverty l i n e , but a lso to
achiieve a l l the physical t a r g e t s ; so as to make the
iniral poor become rich enough and to improve the
qua l i ty of t h e i r l i v e s ;
v) therefore , the ixiral development has to be under
stood as an ideologica l concept by se t t i ng goals
i d e a l i s t i c a l l y . No matter even the goals may be
Utopian, they have to be considered as a long teitn
continuous process of change, because the society
continues to remain even a f t e r achievements of phy
s i c a l t a r g e t s ;
v i ) t ha t the Nagas are not l i k e l y to accept new innova
t ions eas i ly , which may s t r i k e off t h e i r i d e n t i t y ,
because present ly they are tindergoing an i d e n t i t y
c r i s i s . Therefore, the present develc^ment s t ra tegy
needs a complete stop and i t must infuse new inputs
in taking accounts of the i r t r ad i t i ons and i d e n t i
t i e s and, a t the same time, the new s c i e n t i f i c and
technological innovations are introduced from within;
v l i ) once the Naga soc ia l background - t he i r fe l t -needs
and i n t e r e s t s are taken in to account, and they are
assured of the i r cont inui ty ; any goal of development
s t ra tegy to make them a s e l f - r e l i a n t and v ib ran t
w i l l be f ea s ib l e ;
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^ i H ) i t appears tha t the Naga w i l l face the challenge
of contemporary transformation post ively only when
the exis t ing socio-economic s t ruc tu res are re-orga
nised in the l i g h t of t he i r customs and t r a d i t i o n s ;
ix) t h a t the need of the hour i s the re-organisa t ion of
Naga ru ra l society more than introducing any t r a d i
t i ona l approach of ru ra l development, tiich a
res t ruc tur ing can be made by taking the adva^itage
of the exis t ing Naga system of commune. Considering
such a s i t u a t i o n , t h i s model i s proposed with a view
to mobilising a l l the resource po ten t i a l s avai lable
in the region. This may be taken as a socio-techno-
l o g i c a l base approach of development planning s t r a
tegy giving due ro le to the intermediate s t r i c t u r e s
and t r i b a l i d e n t i t y through various i n s t i t u t i o n a l
arrangements.
7 .03 . Naga System of Communes
The ear ly Naga society reveals an element of equa l i -
t a r ian soc ia l condi t ions. The nature of t h e i r society con
t inues to be communal even though the p r iva te ownership i s
manifested now. The r i g h t of an individual could be with
held by the comnunity a t l a rge , when i t i s so required as
in case of Ao t r i b e . For ins tance , a p l o t of land, an amoun
of money, a house or any other property which i s owned by
an indiv idual could be surrendered to the community i f the
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same i s required by the community for a noble cause. Besides
the property, they have a ' w i l l ' even to sac r i f i ce t h e i r
l i ve s for the cause of t h e i r v i l l age and commiinity as we
have mentioned e a r l i e r .
During the time of famine, the Village Councillors •1
could open the richman's grainary a t h i , where paddy i s
s tored. The grains are then d i s t r ibu ted to the needy people
by the Vil lage Council on loan b a s i s . The Village Council
i s responsible for t h i s kind of arrangement made for an
emergency s i t ua t i on . In many v i l l ages the r ich men s tore
paddy even for the whole population of t h e i r v i l l a g e r s
incl\iding the neighbouring v i l l a g e s . Die paddy i s then given p
to a l l the v i l l a g e r s during tirje lean period on loan b a s i s .
The borrower then return the paddy with i n t e r e s t .
Most of the works in which group man's power i s
required are done by community with free labour. For
ins tance , the construction of bachelor ' s house Ar.ju in
Ao Naga, construction of v i l l age gate , pul l ing of log drum
sungkong, construction of v i l l age ga te , houses, v i l l a g e
approach roads, we l l s , churches e t c . are done by community
vo l i in ta r i ly . On such an occasion a l l the v i l l a g e r s are
involved on works without maintaining t h e i r soc ia l s t a t u s .
For ins tance , even a minis ter and a farmer are seen working
together. This kind of human power resource p o t e n t i a l could
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be used as an instrument for development of l a rge r society-
mean ingful ly .
By and la rge the d i s t r i bu t ion of Naga population i s
based on cer ta in c u l t u r a l and socio-geographical fac tors as
found in t h i s inves t iga t ion . The network of each t r i b a l
organisat ion i s thus based on more or l e s s communal and
corporate nature . The unique fea ture of each of the Naga
t r i b e i s the family, the clan, the v i l l a g e and the t r ibe as
a community as hown in f igure 5.1 of chapter f ive under the
i n s t i t u t i o n of c lan.
Bach of the Naga t r i b e i s fo^und occupying a pa r t i cu
l a r geographical area, speaking a common language, follow
ing a common t r ad i t i on and customs. They are found to be so
organised in to a form of union or associa t ion . Medziphema
i s a mul t i -e thnic block which represents the en t i r e demo
graphic ch a r ac t e r i s t i c s of Nagaland. But even in such a
place most of the Naga t r i bes are found s e t t l i n g within a
p a r t i c u l a r geographical area, maintaining t h e i r own sub-
c i i l tures : for ins tance , the bema of Nihokhu c i r c l e , the
Dimasa Kacharis of Dhansiripar c i r c l e , the Bodo Kacharis
of Dimapur c i r c l e , the Angamis of Ghakro are and the Kukis
of Medziphema c i r c l e . Similarly, the whole Lotha t r i b a l
population i s sca t te red in three d i s t i n c t ranges, namely,
the upper, lower and middle ranges of Wokha d i s t r i c t in
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Nagaland. The Aos are also sca t te red covering s ix d i f f e
ren t ranges in Mokokchimg d i s t r i c t as referred in table
2.17 in chapter two. The ^gamis are found occupying four
d i s t i n c t zones in Kohima d i s t r i c t and so i s the Konyaks,
Semas, phoms e t c . Each of thera i s having a unif ied system
of soc ia l and p o l i t i c a l organisat ion.
We find a ce r t a in degree of socisQ. cohesion -within
t h e i r comniunity, though there i s a communicational gap
amongst the Naga t r i bes because of the d ivers i ty of langua
ges. However, every Naga t r i b e i s l iv ing under a well k n i t
ted and well organised system of socie ty where the people
are bound by i t s soc ia l customs and d i s c i p l i n e s . Consider
ing such soc ia l f a b r i c s , an effect ive i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e
arrangement may be made f i r s t a t the following l eve l s as
the frame of Naga t r i b a l commvine:
i ) Clan or family c i r c l e commune,
i i ) Vi l lage commune,
i i i ) Area or range commune, and
i v ) Tribal commune.
Many scholars have suggested tha t v i l l age c l u s t e r
approach of development coiild be one of the best s t r a t eg i e s
of r u r a l development. But th i s w i l l a lso not be applicable
in case of Naga socie ty . However, ins tead of se lec t ing a
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central village for providing socio-techno services to the
surrounding villages under the cluster type approach of
development, foitnation of commune system vould be more
effective for developmental strategy in Nagaland.
7.0^. Objectives and Operation of the Commune
Since the Naga system of commune is to be treated as
an operational concept, it needs to perfonn multifarious
functions. The objective of conceptualizing commune system
is to make every commime a unit of development. As a unit
of development, -we expect that every commune to be a- s*lf-
reliant one, vihich is possible through this model. Thus,
every commiine is expected to act as catalyst for develop
ment of its region by itself. The communes may have their
own schools, hospitals^ transport system, cooperatives
small scale industries and markets particularly the tribal
and area level communes. Thus, a commune is expected to act
•with certain degree of autonomy - finance, administration
of justice and self-management, development of their ovn.
In the process of development planning, a handsome
cash reward may be given to every successful commune by
the appropriate authority provided certain degree of deve
lopment is achieved within a limited period of time. Howeve-
in case of mis-utilisation of fund by any village/commune,
it may be declared as a "Dry- Commune" of "Dry Village" so
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f a r t r i c k l i n g of the i n s t i t u t i o n a l funds are concerned.
During th i s period, no fund should be a l l o t t e d to those
villages/communes as an i n d i r e c t re-ward of development
which i s e s s e n t i a l under th i s model. This v i l l c rea te a
s p i r i t of competition amongst d i f ferent un i t s of develop
ment.
While operating the system, entry of middle persons
may be discouraged (contract /supply business from i n d i v i
duals . Ins tead , the commune may organise themselves in to
labour force organisat ion as a manpovier resource for any
kind of works to be done by themselves within each of the
j u r i s d i c t i o n of the comm\ine/hoho. This wi l l lead to work
motivation and work cu l ture in t h e i r socie ty which are
lacking today. In th i s v/ay any kind of work a r i s ing within
t he i r j u r i s d i c t i o n l i k e farming, road construct ion, house
construction e t c . would be compelled to do by themselves
unl ike the present s i t u a t i o n . There w i l l be l e s s role of
a l ien labourers l i k e the share-croppers e t c . as we have
iden t i f i ed in th i s inves t iga t ion . The p r inc ip le of Naga
commtane may be based on "Naga work cii l ture" or "Naga work
theory". The above object ives and operat ional p r inc ip le
are expected to be f u l f i l l e d automatically when the socio
p o l i t i c a l s t r u c t u r a l changes are effected.
30^
7.05. Soc io -po l i t i ca l Structure
One may claim tha t the int roduct ion of a new socio
p o l i t i c a l s t ruc ture does not come under the purview of
th i s study. Because i t i s simply a case study of a block
in which attempt i s made to study the aspects of r u r a l
transformation that are taking place in the area. The study
of landownership system of various Naga Communities, ru ra l
econonQT and the lEDP i s the main emphasis in t h i s exercise .
However, by studying various works done by d i f fe ren t scho
l a r s a t d i f fe ren t times in the pas t ; and also through the
f i e l d inves t iga t ion of the present one, we arr ived to a
conclusion tha t re-organisat ion of the s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l
s t ruc tu re would be the key to success of any kind of deve
lopment in Nagaland. Similar idea had a lso been given by
d i f fe ren t scholars as discussed in the f i r s t tm i t of the
int roductory chapter . Therefore, one cannot bypass the
ex is t ing s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l s t ruc ture while studying ru ra l
soc ia l transformation and the governmental d i r ec t ive pro
grammes in the region. In t h i s context , we propose to in t ro
duce a model of an i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangement in a Naga way
within the framework of Naga system of commune and also
within Ar t i c l e 371(A) of the Indian Const i tut ion. Thus,
t h i s theoiy i s based on the p r inc ip le of 'people ' s i n i t i a
t i v e ' , 'maximum decen t r a l i s a t ion ' and 'self-development
305
management'. Therefore, the above discussion demands to
reorganise the s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l i n s t i t u t i o n s a t the follow
ing l eve l s as indicated below:
Figure 7.1 -
! I
1 VH;
• TH I
{ AH
POLITICAL
1 UH 1
; LH V . . . , . .11 . . , , . . . . . .
STRUCTURE
t f
1
I J
iVH{ ! V H ; J U
1
1 1 1 L - _
AH
t 1
„ . . J .M 1 I t
! f < 1 I VH! ; VH I 1VH|
I TH
AH
: VH ' ! VH ! t I ! VH|
Upper Hoho
Lower Hoho
UH
LH
TH = T r i b a l Hoho
AH = A r e a Hoho
VH = V i l l a g e Hoho
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In t h i s model, an in tegrated approach of people 's
hoho i s proposed f i r s t with a view to reorganising the
people and, thereby, a nat ive hase in tegra ted approach of
development s t ra tegy could be drawn up from within. Thus,
in the f i r s t category, A,e propose to organise the people 's
hoho a t Vi l lage, Area and Tribal l e v e l s . In the second
category the State l eve l people 's Hoho i s suggested to have
upper and lower house. The i l l u s t r a t i o n of every hoho, the
s ize of the hoho, the method of e lect ion and also t h e i r
main powers and duties are discussed in brief here below.
( i ) Vi l lage Hoho
The Village Hoho i s the basic u n i t and the founda
tion of th i s four t i e r system of people ' s hoho. In every
v i l l a g e there sha l l be an hoho of people. The ex is t ing
Village Coiincil needs to be modified in order to build up
of ru r a l leadership . Every Village hoho could be considered
as the p i l l a r s of th i s in tegrated hoho system with cer ta in
autonomy so tha t every v i l l age i s developed properly accor
ding to t he i r needs and aspi ra t ion for future maintaining
of t h e i r t r a d i t i o n s .
( i i ) Area Hoho
This Hoho may cover up a particular area, zone or
range according to settlement pattern of a particular tribe.
In this regard every Naga tribe living within a distinct
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geographical area may form such ah assembly. For example,
the dema of Nihokhu area nov in Kuhoboto block, and the
Same t r i b e l iv ing in Medziphema block of Kohiraa d i s t r i c t
may form such hoho separa te ly . Every rahge or area i s a
homogeneous u n i t having ce r t a in soc io -cu l tu ra l a f f i n i t i e s .
Such groups are necessary to reorganise themselves in to a
hoho so tha t t he i r problems are properly attended by them
selves in t h e i r ov;n t r ad i t i on and, thereby, t he i r ethnic
Iden t i ty i s a lso maintained,
( i i i ) Tribal Hoho
Above a l l the grass - root l eve l of sub-s t ruc tures ,
every Naga t r ibe should form in to an assembly knovn as
•Tribal Hoho * of i t s own. As for example, the tJema Tribal
Hoho, the Kukl Tribal Hoho and the Angaxni Tribal Hoho and
so on and so for th . We have found that the Aos, Angamis
and the Lothas have already been f onned s imi lar hoho in
t h i s d i rec t ion , for example, the Ao Senden Salanp^ and
Lotha Hoho. This Hoho should be the apex of ru ra l assembly
systems within the framework of Naga system of commune as
proposed. In t h i s way, every t r i b e w i l l have equal oppor
tun i ty to form such hoho having equal s t a t u s .
Civ) State Hoho
In the hierarchy of hohos, t h i s i s the highest and
the most powerful assembly. I t has to be formed by the
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representa t ives of a l l the Naga t r i b a l hohos. Oliis hoho
may be divided in to upper and lower house for smooth func
tioning of the machinery of the hohos. This hoho should be
purely a policy making body i . e . for a l l sectoral-develop
mental a f f a i r s in the S ta te .
In the urban areas a l so , the same pr inc ip le of hoho
could be e f fec t ive . In every tov?n, t r i b a l union or ethnic
group hoho may be formed f i r s t in the l i g h t of Diphupar
v i l l age model of s t ruc tu re as discussed in chapter f i ve .
From such community union, representa t ives to the town
committee may be deputed. Every town committee may also
send t h e i r representa t ives to the t r i b a l and State Level
Hoho for bringing rural-urban i n t eg ra l development,
!Ihe above mentioned hohos are an in tegrated and
inter-dependent body of ru ra l organisa t ions . This i s simple
as what they are having now in the form of Vil lage Council,
Area Council and State Assembly presented here , a f te r a
l i t t l e modification. The r e l a t ionsh ip between d i f fe ren t
hohos i s tha t the Vil lage Hoho i s a body of representa t ives
of d i f f e ren t clans or famil ies in the v i l l age l e v e l . The
Area Hoho i s formed by the represen ta t ives of d i f fe ren t
v i l l ages of a p a r t i c u l a r ethnic group. The Tribal Hoho i s
formed by the representa t ives of the area or range leve l
hoho of a p a r t i c u l a r t r i b e . The Sta te Hoho i s t o be con
s t i t u t e d by the representa t ives of d i f fe ren t t r i b a l hohos.
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Naga society i s a segmentary soc ie ty . Taking th i s
background in to consideration, t h i s organisa t ional s t ruc ture
i s proposed -with a viev to making a new s t a r t for a thorough
reformation -which i s the need of the hour.
In t h i s respec t , the cons t i tu t ion of India also
recognises the necess i ty to re-organise and to create a
separate p o l i t i c a l and adminis trat ive s t ruc tu re for the
t r i b a l people. Pa r t i cu l a r emphasis i s found for the Nagas
as per the specia l cons t i t u t iona l provision as referred
abo-ve. Considering such a s i t ua t i on t h i s concept i s pro
posed which may, fu r the r require for de ta i l ed s tud ies .
7 .06. ^ize and Composition of each Hoho.
The idea l model of each hoho could be considerably
l a r g e r in s ize so as to draw the maximum pa r t i c ipa t ion of
the people from each sect ion of t h e i r s o c i e t i e s . For de te r
mining the s i ze of an hoho a t the v i l l a g e l e v e l , two impor
tan t c r i t e r i o n s may be kept in mind such as the s ize of
population and the number of clans l i v ing in a p a r t i c u l a r
v i l l a g e . Keeping such points in mind we suggest the s ize
of a v i l l a g e l eve l hoho to have 11-15 representa t ives in a
v i l l age below 200 popiilation, 15-19 in a v i l l a g e having
200 to 1+99 population, 20-25 for a population of 500 to 199,
25-30 representa t ives for a population of 2000 and above.
I t has to be ensured tha t every clan i s well represented
310
in every village assembly. In case there are many clans in
a small village, two or more nearest clan groups may send
one representative on their behalf. In this way the socio
political equality would be well maintained at the grass-
root level assembly.
• At the range or area level, the same pattern of the
existing Area Council and its compositional pattern may be
followed. That is to say, one representative may be chosen
foy every 500 persons. In case of a small village having
less than 500, two or more villages may be clubbed for
sending their representatives.
The ideal size for a Tribal Hoho may be 25 to 35,
which may also be determined according to size of the popu
lation of that particular tribe, and 60 to 70 representa
tives in the State Hoho. The State Hoho may split up into
upper and lower house. The members of each hoho may repre
sent different categories/sections of social groups, for
instance, vomen, youth, farmers and other professional
groups etc. The membership of the above hoho can be with
drawn at any time by the people in case of no confidence
and they may be replaced within forthnight. The tenure of
the office may be for three years which may also be exten
ded for another one year, of as per their performance and
conveniences.
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7,07. Forms of Representation
While se lec t ing the representa t ives to d i f ferent
hohos an indigenous method of se lec t ion can be worked out.
Each clan in the v i l l age may choose i t s own representa t ive
according to t h e i r custom of sending the i r representa t ives
to the Vil lage Council. The members of the Vil lage Hoho
may se lec t the represen ta t ives of the area hoho. Again,
the members of the area hoho may se lec t the representa t ives
of the t r i b a l l eve l hoho. However, the State l eve l Hoho
members may be chosen by an Electora l College cons t i tu ted
by the lower l eve l hohos represen ta t ives . This has been
the Naga prac t ice of se lect ing t h e i r leaders in such con-
tigency. This may he granted specia l cons t i tu t iona l p rov i
sion in fu ture .
I t i s bel ieved tha t through th i s method of se lect ion
the r igh t person could be shosen without involving much
expenses. Therefore, under h i s model, the present imposed
type of e lec t ion method w i l l not a r i s e because i t i s not
the soc ia l p rac t i ce of the Nagas as mentioned in the above
cons t i t u t i ona l c lause . In t h i s model, choice of the leaders
i s based on tiie people ' s power alone (not by money power
• or any other unfair means as we find a t p r e sen t ) . The p re
sent e l ec to r a l p rac t i ce based on impe<rsonal organlzitlon
and roie ot'moa&y basMbaep the biggest blunder for the
Naga socie ty , as i t has mis-directed the socio-economic
312
transformation. To achieve the objectives of the present
model, the functioning of the present p o l i t i c a l pa r t i e s
need to be modified, according to Naga indigenous p rac t ices
referred above as the cons t i t u t iona l provision. Similarly,
the goals of p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s need to be recas t within
the framework of the present model of development. This
w i l l ensure the proper development of t h e i r society on a
f a s t e r degree,
A unif ied nat ive base of administration system can
also be su i tab ly evolved out within the purview of the
above p rac t i ce . The appl icat ion of Naga customary laws
and the usages can be considered as the guiding p r inc ip l e .
A co l l ec t ive soc ia l force can be generated out of these
assemblage of the people from within, a machinery through
which the leaders can be e f fec t ive ly cont ro l led . We feel
tha t the Nagas as a community cannot sui*vive for long with
out such a unif ied system of cont ro l . In fac t , t h i s could
be a rea l Naga rura l democratic syston of government which
has been in p rac t ice since the time immemorial. This may
also be necessar i ly guided by the cons t i t u t i ona l measure
through the Customary Laws and Usages. When such an arrange
ment i s made, there w i l l be l ess problem of development as
to what to develop and how to develop the socie ty . In t h i s
way we hope tha t the Naga may develop the best s t ra tegy of
development as per genius of t he i r own t r a d i t i o n .
313
7.08 Planning Strategy
A p r a c t i c a l r u r a l based planning s t ra tegy can be
vorked out on the p r inc ip le of complete decen t ra l i sa t iona l
from within on the bas is of the framework proposed above.
F i r s t of a l l , a data based s t r a t i f i e d and in tegra ted method
can be meaningfully designed a t d i f fe ren t hoho and commune
l eve l . Each un i t sha l l be reponsible to draw up i t s deve
lopment plans for i t s e l f according to the p r i o r i t i e s of
i t s f e l t -needs . Technical ass is tance from the State Level
Planning Commission should be given a t every l e v e l , whenever
i t i s necessary. This Commission may cons is t of experts from
d i f fe ren t f i e ld s of spec i a l i s a t ion . They may advise/
supervise and s c ru t i n i s e the planning a c t i v i t i e s of the
hohos and communes. For such a planning, an accurate upto
date data may be e s s e n t i a l in respect of d i f ferent u n i t s .
This can be possible Dy se t t i ng up of Data Bank at every
vi l lage/ town under the d i r e c t cont ro l of the State Level
Planning Bureau.
7 .09. Tr iba l Banks
According to t r i b a l soc ia l organisa t ional se t -up as
I d a i t l f l e d above, Tribal Banks would be necessary a t d i f f e
r en t hoho/conmune l e v e l s . This may be t rea ted as the Commer
c i a l Banks under the d i r ec t ives of the Naga system of
commune government. The functioning of Nag aland State Coope
r a t i v e Bank Ltd, may be converted on t h i s pa t te rn . I t would
31^
beesiKLse to se t up the Vil lage Bank, Area Bank and Tribal
Banks according to t r i b a l organisat ions . The Bank of Naga
Commune can be se t up a t the State l e v e l , from where a l l
the ru ra l Banks may be amalgamated and effect ively con
t ro l l ed .
Once the budgetary a l locat ion per ta ining to a p a r t i
cular un i t of development i s approved by the appropriate
authori ty i t should be immediately credi ted agains t those
concerned mral banks. I t i s suggested tha t a l l the f inan
c i a l t ransact ions are channelised through Tribal Bank Orga
nisa t ion a t d i f fe ren t l e v e l s . Such Tribal Commercial Banks
may ac t ive ly be involved in socio-economic development of
the region. This v i l l f a c i l i t a t e a l l types of developmental
•work on the r i g h t time. This i s the l a s t hope to minimise
the money corruption through effect ive t r i b a l soc ia l accoun
t a b i l i t y . The s p i r i t of competition i s expected to generate
amongst the clan or t r ibe based iniral banks a nat ive s p i r i t
of enterpreneurship for a speedy development of the region,
7.10, Budgetary Allocation
The en t i re State budgetary a l loca t ion may be divided
in to d i f fe ren t heads, v i z . the s t a t e l i s t , i n t e r - t r i b a l
l i s t , the t r i b a l l i s t , i n t e r - a r ea l i s t , the area l i s t , in te r -
v i l l a g e l i s t , Hie v i l l a g e l i s t , urban l i s t and spec ia l l i s t s
e t c . according to loca l spec i f i c . The developnent planning
315
may be drav/n according to c l a s s i f i ca t ion of the budget
heads adttd l i s t s mentioned above. As for ins tance , i f an
i r r i g a t i o n pro jec t i s going to benefi t both Angamis of
Medziphema and Kukis of Molvom v i l l a g e r s , t h i s should come
under the i n t e r - v i l l a g e budget. Different budget a l loca
t ions of d i f fe ren t l i s t s may be prepared a t d i f ferent
hofaos subject to scrut iny by the appropriate au thor i ty .
The State l eve l hoho sha l l d i s t r i b u t e d i f ferent budget
a l loca t ions to every hoho through Tribal Banks as proposed,
and thereby, the budget a l loca t ion for a p a r t i c u l a r un i t
i s made avai lable -within t h e i r j u r i s d i c t i o n . We hope that
through such a system of arrangement, not only the l eve l
of money corruption iden t i f i ed a t a l l l eve l s v/ould be mini
mised to a great extent but impersonal bureaucrat ic hurdle
w i l l a l so be removed from the ru ra l scene. This wi l l fu r
ther f a c i l i t a t e the lu ra l res idents to improve t h e i r socio
economic condition tremendously as the problems iden t i f i ed
in chapter four.
Under th i s scheme we propose to leave the people free
in the p r inc ip l e of "self development" and "tindisturbed
method". I t i s necessary to experiment on th i s d i r ec t ion ,
because each un i t i s required to be en t i r e ly responsible
for a l l - round development of i t s area under i t s own j u r i s
d i c t ion . When we leave them in t h i s way, we expect that
316
each un i t and indiv idual sha l l de f in i t e ly r ea l i s e the sense
of r e spons ib i l i ty and thereby t h e i r society i s expected to
be developed under the guidance of appropriate au thor i ty .
By seeing the neighbouring t r i b e or commTine developing by
i t s members, a sense of competition i s expected to be b u i l t
up. An i n d i r e c t method of distance supervision, giiidance
and control from the State l eve l w i l l provide effect ive
moral balance. Closed supervisicxi and administrat ion may
do away from the Tribal Hoho l e v e l . Direct involvement of
l o c a l i n i t i a t i v e may be so ef fec t ively designed in the pro
cess of the operation of such a development planning. Eva
lua t ion and monitoring of a l l - round developmental program
mes can be conducted by an in tegra ted body of experts from
d i f fe ren t l eve l s of hoho or communes,
7.11. Helevance of the proposed model
The object ive of the proposed model i s f i r s t to
avoid the p revai l ing wrong soc ia l p rac t i ces which do not
bring benef i t to the socie ty , l o r t h i s purpose, i t has to
have a systematic i n s t i t u t i c a i a l arrangement for generating
a s e l f - r e l i a n t soc ie ty . I t i s not something l i k e old wine
i n t o a new b o t t l e ; r a the r , i t would be an approacli towards
pouring new wine in to the new b o t t l e through which we
expect t h a t both the b o t t l e and wine are preserved and,
thereby, the wine i s served to the needy people to sa t i s fy
317
themselves. Therefore, a thorough sociC>-cultural and p o l i
t i c a l transformation i s expected to take place both in
qual i ty and quant i ty .
When the t r ad i t i on and customs are maintained and
revived, there -would he improvement in the qual i ty of i n d i
vidual l i f e both in hor izonta l and v e r t i c a l d i rec t ions .
As regards to man-land r e l a t i ons and i t s developmental
aspec ts , one may say that there i s l e s s problem in Nagaland
than other States in India , because there i s no problem of
non-ava i l ab i l i ty of land. The basic problems in regards
to land and i t s r e l a t ions a r e : (a) unproductive holding,
(b) unmanageabillty due to largeness of the size of holding,
(c) u n s u i t a b i l i t y for agr icu l tu re due to pecu l i a r i t y of
topographical fac tor , (d) fragmentation of holdings e t c .
These problems coTild be replaced by providing e s sen t i a l
services for every one, and then gradually moving towards
t r i b a l co l l ec t ive farming. Because of the int roduct ion of
s c i e n t i f i c faiming. We hope t h a t rapid soc ia l tran^foima-
ti<xj would take place in tiie socie ty . This w i l l fur ther
f a c i l i t a t e to make balanced d i s t r i bu t i on of socio-economic
r igh t s leading to achieving a s o c i a l i s t i c form of socie ty .
Tae p reva i l ing land disputes are one of the ser ious
c o n s t r a i n t s , hampering the growth of t h e i r socie ty . This i s
because of the typ ica l land ownership system and also due
318
to non-existence of the standard system of land boiondary.
However, the land could be cadas t ra l ly surveyed, measured
and ca tas t rophica l ly be analysed providing c l e a r s ta tus of
the land boundary. This w i l l minimise the occurrance of
i n t e r - v i l l a g e land disputes to a grea t ex tent . We expect
t h a t t h i s wi l l be the beginning of a pos i t ive land reform
measure in Naga socie ty . Every hoho/commune may t ry to
purchase land as big as possible from the p r iva te owners,
which could be used for demonstrative purposes. When the
proper se t t i ngs up of land are made i t would be eas ie r to
put the technical inputs fo r improvement of agr icu l tu re
leading to higher product iv i ty . The maximum u t i l i s a t i o n of
a l l the avai lable p o t e n t i a l i t i e s r e l a t ing to land-man
resource could be made. Under th i s model, a mechanised
t r i b a l / c l a n co l l ec t ive and j o i n t farming system within
every u n i t of development could be introduced. The en t i r e
f o o t - h i l l s of the region, could be used for th i s kind of
farming. I f the plain areas lying in Medziphema, Kuhoboto
and Dhansiripar c i r c l e s could be cu l t iva ted in th i s way,
we hope t h a t the e n t i r e population of Nagaland could be
served with "Nagaland spec ia l r i c e " . This w i l l bring a
complete change in agrarian s t ruc tu r e , leading to a se l f -
r e l i a n t socie ty , which i s one of the goals of n i r a l deve
lopment. This w i l l fur ther bring market and marketing
i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l f a c i l i t i e s . An appropriate technology,
319
labour in tens ive production techniques, ecological ly adjus
ted production and consumption system, inter- temporal and
re-evaluation of non-renev/al resources e t c . could "be poss i
b l e . Immediate mobil isation of "Waga Tribal Cooperatives"
in the form of Advanced Producers ' Cooperatives in China
may also be poss ib le . For ins tance , the pineapple g2?owers
of Medziphema block and sugarcane growers of Kuhoboto block
may be organised in the form of "Tribal/Commune Coopera
t i ve s " . The Nagaland spec ia l qual i ty r i ce growers can also
be formed in t h i s p a t t e m . This w i l l avoid the Marwari
enterpreneurs in paddy market as mentic»ied in chapter four.
This I s one of the aspects of def in i t ion of ru ra l develop
ment to u s . But t h i s i s not the end of ru ra l development,
because we have understood tha t the r u r a l development i s
a ICMig process of continuous change.
Another aspect of t h i s model would be t ha t , the
p a r t i c u l a r object ives of ru r a l development and Integrated
Bural Developnent Progranme (IRDP) woiad be f u l f i l l e d
both in quan t i t a t ive and qua l i t a t i ve aspects , and also a t
the various l e v e l s . AS a mul t i - leve l concept, a balance
developnent amongst eveiy claJi, family, v i l l a g e , range,
a rea , zone, t r i b e , both ru ra l and urban area could be main
tained. As a mul t i - sec to ra l concept, there could be maxi
mum in tegra t ion of developments in the f i e l d of r u r a l
economies, l i k e ag r i cu l tu r e , ve ter inary and ahiinai
320
husbandaiy, fo res t ry , education, communication e t c . to be
control led by t r i b a l communes. This i s the rea l meaning of
the in tegra ted Rural Development Programme which i s lacking
a t p resen t .
One of the focuses of th i s model i s the creat ion of
an in tegra ted ru ra l industry by exploi t ing a l l the land
man resources through loca l i n i t i a t i v e . Rural i n d u s t r i a l i
sat ion i s the main object ive of r u r a l development through
which higher degree of employment generating programmes
could be es tabl ished and thereby, maxlmtun employment of
r u r a l youth could be achieved. Because, t h i s model i s an
attempt to crea te a new soc ia l order , where nobody could
remain without work. At mul t i - sec t iona l l e v e l , there could
be no socio-economic d i spa r i t y . Equal s t a tus of l i f e
amongst the people, i r r e spec t ive of sex, age, t r i b e s , r e l i
gion, language, e t c . , i s expected to be maintained, which
i s lacking a t present because of the unfamiliar imposed
developoai ta l s t r a t egy .
A new techno-native based educational system would
be evolved in the l i g h t of the needs of the proposed model.
Because while switching over to a transformative phase,
c rea t ion of a new educational system becomes a must; and
i t w i l l be automatically taken p lace . This w i l l have to be
designed with a view to evolving for a " soc ia l ly useful
321
productive v/oiics", through -which educated unemployment can
be minimised. Manpower planning could be eas i ly work out
on the bas i s of spec ia l i sa t ion and general isa t ion to be
streamlined under such an educational pol icy.
Ecological imbalance l i k e defoi-estation, sh i f t ing
cu l t i va t i on , so i l erosion, burning of jungles which i s
associated with hunting prac t ices ( p a r t i c u l a r l y found among
the Angami and Chakesang t r i be s e t c . ) k i l l i n g of wild an i
mals e t c . can be checked by every commune, while at tempt
ing to evolve a self development perspec t ive . A new system
of ru ra l base and a unif ied system of customary laws can
be i den t i f i ed for promoting t h i s model. When such a soc ia l
organisa t ional pa t te rn i s put up, the question of sh i f t ing
cu l t iva t ion would not a r i s e , because the a l t e r n a t i v e occu
pat ions s h a l l be ava i lab le a t the door-steps from which
they may get much more than what they get from the sh i f t ing
c u l t i v a t i o n .
Towards bui lding a s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t society of t h e i r
own, we expect that there should be high degree of competi
t ion between each ru ra l hohos. Only when a s p i r i t of com
pe t i t i on i s developed amongst them only then there can be
a v ib ran t soc ie ty . We have iden t i f i ed t ha t Medziphema block
i s the r i ches t block in Nagaland in teims of the resource-
p o t e n t i a l s . There i s suf f ic ien t na tu ra l resources,^ which
322
nead to be exploited through localjnitiative. Besides that,
the State Government of Nagaland is making constant attempt
through various means as mentioned in chapter six tovards
making their society a self-reliant one. But because of
lacking the motivation to-wards york culture, the Naga socie
ty remains undeveloped. Hov-ever, under this new developmen
tal strategy, we hope to improve the dignity of work amongst
every unit of development as identified in chapter five.
It shall uphold the name of their community and also the
nation as a whole.
The present provision of the Village Development
Board (VDB), Block, District Planning Boardj etc. may
become unnecessary. The centralised method of development
and bureaucratic implementation from Directorate and Secre
tariate may also require to be changed. Ihere are thou
sands of social, political and cultural institutions either
registered or unregistered without bearing fruits in every
village and town throughout Nagaland* These need drastic
delimitation and re-organlsatlon to strengthen the Naga
system of communes for productive purposes. The "Good
Samaritan" concept of development, by way of giving sub-
sidles, relief etc. which we have come across, may be dis
couraged, rather such question shall not arise under the
proposed structure.
323
Due to unequal development, it has been foiind that
a large number of persons are migrating from the villages
to the towns. This vill largely stopped through this model,
because the concept of "Rural City" shall be built up
under this model of developmental strategy. The influx of
non-Naga personnel could also be checked and, thereby, the
political and cultural identities of the Nagas can be pro
tected. We have identified a new trend of population growth
(see chapter two) particularly in Medziphema block. The
main reason was due to induction of agricultural labourers
from outside the State, Out of 533 agricultural labourers
being engaged by five villagers in the block, h3% were
Nepalis, 32.27^ Muslims, iif.82$i Manipurls, and 8.8l^
belonged to other minor groups. The local farmers were
found to be helpless without those outside labourers. The
induction such labourers in large niimber vas found to be
politically motivated. Because the agricultural labourers
are used for winning every general election in the region
(see table 3.3 in chapter three). This is an alarming situa
tion in Naga society today; which may bring serious ethnic
tensicaj in future. However, we hope that by introducing
this type of model, such problem woiild be solved to a great
extent.
32h
Some people may claim that the main problem in
Nagaland i s more of p o l i t i c a l than economic. However, i t
has heen noted tha t creat ion of socio-economic s t a b i l i t y
in the State i s much heavier than the p o l i t i c a l problem.
We hope tha t both p o l i t i c a l and economic problems of the
Nagas vould be ea s i e r to solve through t h i s proposed model.
The impact of the i n t e r - t r i b a l and inter-communal
marriages w i l l be far reaching in s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l sphere,
resul t ing soc ia l cohesive powers and 'we f e e l i n g ' a t
various l e v e l s . This has been experienced in Diphupar v i l
lage under study. Such experiences require to be tes ted in
wider s o c i a l context towards achieving the Naga t r i b a l
s o c i a l i s t i c goals leading to both t r i b a l and na t iona l i n t e -
graticMi. In fac t , the concept of i n t e r - t r i b a l marriage
amongst Nagas may be encouraged making i t as an accepted
soc ia l policy*^ under t h i s model. We hope t h a t through the
i n s t i t u t i o n of i n t e r - e t h n i c marriage, a r i che r Naga cul ture
can be b \ i i l t up, making Nagaland a "Village Home" for a l l
t r i b e s preserving the ancient "Village Tradi t ion", which
may ensure t he i r survival in wider soc ie ty . This may turn
out to be the bes t s t r a t egy for socio-economic planning for
the future Naga communities. This w i l l remove the feel ing
of t r iba l i sm tha t hampers the developmental a c t i v i t i e s in
the region, and thereby, maintain a s t ab le soc ie ty . We
325
believe tha t the i n t e r - e t h n i c tension could be removed
throiagh such an appix3ach to a gireat extent .
As an indigenous researcher , who has an utmost f a i t h
in the dest iny ol the community, the author has eareful ly
observed the pa s t , p resen t and future Naga soc ie t i e s and
also examined the empirical r e a l i t y of the mult i -e thnic
Medziphema block as a spec i f ic case study. I t provides a
base work for the kind of developmental s t ra tegy su i t ab le
for future development of Naga society in general . We are
aware t ha t as an i d e a l i s t i c model, our suggestion may lead
to ce r ta in cont rovers ia l i s sues . However, the p o s s i b i l i t y
of such an i d e a l type of development s t ra tegy designed in
Naga way depends on various fac tors such as people ' s under
standing and wil l ingness to accept the idea r a t i o n a l l y .
Another aspect would be the creat ion of mass awareness and
mobi l isa t ion, and gradual process of people ' s involvement
in a planned manner. We have b u i l t up a thes is from which
the Naga model of development s t ra tegy emerges. I t i s up
to the people to accept , modify or r e j ec t i t as a way out
of the present ongoing decadence and decay.
326
REFERENCES
1. Athl or Jen, are constructed l i t t l e away from the r e s i
den t i a l areas . The rich man may have mo2?e than one a t h i ,
g ra inar ies where they s tore the gra ins . In one of the
AO Naga v i l l ages ca l led Chungtia v i l l a g e located near
Mokokchung town, many persons were having seven gra inar ies
containing 1000 t in s load of paddy ( r e f e r Ao, A.L.,
Op .c i t . , Chungtia v i l l a g e repor t page 8 ) .
2 . The r a t e of i n t e r e s t var ies from v i l l age to v i l l a g e .
Normally the r a t e of i n t e r e s t i s 2 J 3 5 means i f a person
takes 2 t i n s of paddy in 1987, he w i l l have to return
3 t i n s in the following next year during the time of
harves t . In the pas t i t was 2 :2 .
3 . The Log drum (Sungkong) I s made by the community and
used for mult iple ptirposes, e .g . proclamation of war
s i gna l , f i r e s igna l , prosper i ty and as a ca l l ing b e l l
for the v i l l a g e r e t c ,
V. In t r a d i t i o n a l Naga soc ie ty , no one could remain lazy,
i r r e spec t i ve of sex, age e t c . lander th i s theory. To
remain lazy i s a crime for a Naga i s the Naga theory of
labour. F i r s t the community woik to be completed, then
a f t e r to do the indiv idual works i s the theory of Naga
work cxilture. By not coming to the commxmity work implies
heavy f ine . A minis ter and a farmer have to work toge
ther without maintaining t h e i r soc ia l s t a tus under th i s
327
system. These are some of the examples of Naga theoiy
of labour or Naga work cu l tu re ,
5. The Ao ;Dend.en Salang (Ao People 's Assembly) i s the
highest forum of the Aos, formed by i t s c i t i z e n s . Simi
l a r l y , the Lotha Hoho (assembly) i s a l so formed by i t s
c i t i z e n s ,
6. The concept of 'Rural City' here we mean to make the
v i l l ages put t ing maximum f a c i l i t i e s tha t are avai lable
in a c i t y , so t h a t i t w i l l not be necessary for the
v i l l a g e r s to move to the c i ty to obtain those required
se rv ices ,
7 . I n t e r - t r i b a l marriage could be considered as one of
the s t r a t e g i e s of soc ia l planning for future develop
ment of Naga soc ie ty . Therefore, i t could be s t ressed
<soncertedly as an accepted soc ia l pol icy/ ideology;
encouraged by the States by way of recognising the
marriage o f f i c i a l l y , with awarding of a c e r t i f i c a t e
frcxfl the appropriate commune government, and a cer ta in
percentage of marriage expenses, services incent ives in
case of employees, cash reward e t c . I t could be propa
gated through various media such as educational and
r e l ig ious organisa t ion, which may also be incorporated
in the commune base educational po l icy . Such policy may
be the most effect ive means of soc ia l control in Naga
socie ty . This wi l l overcome the feel ing of t r iba l i sm
amongst the Nagas, We do expect to have b e t t e r offspring
and a b e t t e r generation tbrougb t h i s pol icy.