Mad dogs and Nagas: A Q&A with the guerrilla leader Muivah
Selected questions and answers from an e-mail interview with Thuingaleng Muivah, co-leader of the I-M guerrilla faction that is currently in peace talks with the Indian government.

Q. The slogans, "Nagalim for Christ" and "Nagaland for Christ" - what do they mean? Are they similar to "God bless America," or something more? Do they imply that Nagaland/Nagalim will be a land where Christ reigns supreme?

A. The slogan, Nagalim for Christ, arose out of the conviction of the Nagas, because they have been persuaded in the truth of the gospel. It does not mean that our government shall be theocratic, it will be as it is, government of the people, by the people, for the people which is much of a Christian principle.

"Nagalim for Christ" is the manifestation that Nagas can never part with their faith in Christ the savior. Therefore, we treasure Christian values of life.

But it must be clear that they are never meant for imposition on others. A society must need to be founded on ideal principles for the realization of the meaning of life.

Although our problem with India is national and political in nature, the issue of faith inevitably turns out, when challenged, to be the most enduring force in the ultimate analysis.

Q. Regarding the peace talks, would you be willing to compromise in some way? What is negotiable? What is not negotiable?

A. There is no easy answer to this question unless we carefully examine how the talks started. The crux of the problem has been the adamant refusal of the Indian government to understand the Nagas and their history. The only policy they worked out was to crush the Nagas by force, which they did for the last 50 years or so.

It was in 1994 that the leadership of India, including the top three army generals, declared that military solution was no longer possible.

We took it as a sincere and positive step towards better understanding. In the process of the talks the government of India came to understand the nature of the issue and subsequently declared in a joint communique on July 11, 2002, the recognition of the "unique history and situation of Nagas" for the first time in the history.

This is an important step. We are also prepared to appreciate the difficulties involved on the part of India. But how long India can do the same? This is still the harder issue.

In our talks in New Delhi we told Prime Minister Vajpayee, "If India respects the reality of the Nagas, Nagas will respect the reality of India even 10 times more."

We are committed to peaceful means for solution. But, Indians' commitment leaves much to be desired despite assurances. Whatever may be the case, the unification of Naga territories and the national identity of the Nagas are non-negotiable. In other words, the integration of Naga areas is a must, and the destiny of the Nagas must be left to the Nagas themselves.

Q. How realistic is Greater Nagaland/Nagalim?

A. The question does not arise in that Nagas along with their homeland were divided arbitrarily by the British and the government of India. Nagas' desire to live together is natural. It is an irresistible force. There will be no peace whatsoever until this rightful aspiration of the Nagas is respected. Is it not an insult to talk of solution keeping the Nagas divided against their aspiration?

Q. If Nagalim is created, what will happen to the Aos and the K-faction? Will they have a place in your government?

A. Nagalim is for all irrespective of tribes, clans etc. There is no discrimination in our society. Of course, we have to settle accounts with the unrepented traitors, the hypocrites and the mad dogs.

Q. In Nagaland, I encountered many stories of forced taxation at gunpoint. In many areas, it seems that because of the preponderance of different guerrilla groups, villagers are now being taxed twice, even three times a year - each time by a different faction. What is your response to this?

A. We have our government. We levy taxes from the people - which the Indian government calls "extortion." It is true that people are over-taxed. But the crooked policy of the Indian government is responsible for that.

It must be understood that the Naga National Council totally betrayed the national cause to India in the notorious Shillong accord of 1975. Therefore, the issue is no more with them. Yet, the government of India is still propping them up disturbing the people and the patriots.

The Khaplang group also betrayed the cause in 1988 when they declared that the Indians troops were not their enemy. Since then they collaborated with the Indian armed forces fighting against us, the NSCN who have steadfastly defended the right of Nagalim to date.

Thus, the national issue is no longer in the hand of the Khaplang group either. Yet the Indian government still gives them free hand to collect taxes from the people at gun point purposely to undermine our hold on the people.

... In spite of such an adverse state of affairs we always have the people with us. They are our mainstay even for all time to come. They know we are the only ones genuinely fighting for the cause of the nation.

Q. It has been suggested widely that the newly-formed Naga People's Front is the political face of the I-M. Did the I-M financially back any of the candidates?

A. That allegation has been made by ... Chief Minister S.C. Jamir to cover his shame of defeat ... None of the NPF was supported from our side nor have we ever participated in the Indian sponsored election. We did not finance any of the NPF candidates, either.

Q. Has the I-M laid down its guns?

A. Nagas under the leadership of the NSCN will never lay down from their hands three things: Their arms, their freedom and their territories. The talks are on the process.

Q. When do you think something will change in your homeland?

A. So long as occupation of Nagalim by the Indian armed forces continue there will be no change for the better whatsoever. In other words, when India respects the reality of the Nagas and stop suppressing the truth a change is inevitable and that change would be certainly for the better. When can that be expected?

Q. Tell me about your Christian faith.

A. I was born and brought up in a very poor family. But, thank God, my parents were staunch Christians though primitive and illiterate.

Though I was young - about 7 - and could hardly read the Holy Bible, my parent's diligent exhortation to know the eternal salvation that is in Jesus the crucified, fully persuaded me.

I gladly decided that "I will not betray Jesus." Of course, without knowing how long it would survive the endless waves of conflicting philosophies, I struggled the best I could throughout the past to grasp the forces which had influenced the course of history, so that I might not be lost in vain philosophies.

... One day I had a fast in a thick jungle. During my solemn prayer I felt into a trance and I saw Jesus standing about 15 meters away, looking at me tenderly and compassionately. A teenager also stood beside him holding his hand with no sign of fear at all. But, suddenly, I saw countless enemy troops coming close to me in combat readiness.

I was frightened at the sight of the troops. But when Jesus turned his face towards them, they were so frightened that they had to run back for life. Seeing the scene I was completely amazed and questioned to myself how such a mighty force could be dismayed and run away at the sight of Jesus.

The same scene repeated for the second time and disappeared. After a long pondering I realized that Jesus did not want me to trust my own. He knew I would be nowhere without Him. But with Him the power of the world is nothing.

As the boy was not moved at all, even at the sight of the troops, I could be confident if I leaned on Christ. I was once again persuaded that his presence alone could lead me through. I came to realize fully that God has a purpose for me to serve his will for my people. He knew my heart, for he said, "I the Lord search the heart..." Thank God I was no longer a miserable creature. The worlds around were clear to me and I feared them no more save my sin, for sin often destroyed us and the good earth.

To my incredible joy I did realize the purpose God has for the creation and, more importantly, his will for Nagalim as it is a part of the creation. And so, I believe in God; I believe in Nagalim too, come what may.