Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s recent observation that the territorial integration of Naga-inhabited areas may not be immediately achievable reflects a political reality that many Nagas have long recognised. Whatever the future may hold, the present demands a different question: What should the Naga people do in the meantime?
The answer lies not in waiting, but in safeguarding what already exists.
For decades, the aspiration for Naga integration has remained central to the political discourse. Yet aspirations alone cannot protect land, history or identity. If Naga-inhabited areas are not preserved today, the possibility of any future political arrangement becomes increasingly uncertain. Territorial integration, if it is ever realised, can only be built upon territories that have been protected, not neglected.
This responsibility must be shared by all Nagas, irrespective of state or national boundaries. The challenges facing Naga territories cannot be viewed through narrow regional lenses. The Indo-Myanmar border, for instance, should not be seen merely as an issue for Eastern Nagas. It concerns the entire Naga people because it affects communities with shared history, culture and kinship.
The same principle applies elsewhere. The territorial disputes involving Nagas in Manipur should not be regarded solely as the concern of Nagas living in that state. Likewise, the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute should not be reduced to the problem of the Ao, Lotha or other border tribes. These are collective concerns because they touch upon the wider Naga homeland and its future.
Safeguarding territory does not necessarily mean confrontation. It means remaining vigilant against encroachments, protecting customary land rights, preserving historical records, strengthening village institutions, promoting responsible land governance, and ensuring that communities along border areas are not left isolated. It also requires greater coordination among Naga civil society organisations, tribal bodies and village authorities across different states and, where possible, across the international border.
Emotional integration, a concept highlighted by the Chief Minister, becomes meaningful only when it is matched by collective responsibility. Shared identity must translate into shared action.
Political settlements may take years. Governments may change, negotiations may continue, and constitutional arrangements may evolve. But the land itself cannot wait. Every generation has a responsibility to preserve what it has inherited.
If the dream of Naga integration is to remain alive for future generations, the task before the present generation is clear: protect Naga territories wherever they exist. The future of any political aspiration depends on the vigilance exercised today.
