CHAPTER - V I I

NAGA MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT STRATECg

295

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

296

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 ;

298

^ 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

299

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

300

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

301

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

302

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

303

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

306

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

307

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.

309

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 .

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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.