Waiting for the Dust to Settle

In the town of Senapati, young Rakovei eagerly observes the daily army convoys passing by his house, envisioning a future as a soldier. However, tragedy strikes his family, exposing him to the harsh truth hidden beneath the allure of military uniforms.
This captivating novel is set in Manipur during the tumultuous 1980s and 90s, entwining the fates of Rakovei, his family, and their community.

Initially peaceful in the Naga villages surrounding Senapati, their lives are shattered in 1987 when the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) launches a devastating attack on the Assam Rifles outpost at Oinam Hill. The ensuing Operation Bluebird, characterized by ruthless retaliation, engulfs the region. Village after village falls under occupation, and a young Rakovei, visiting his native village of Phyamaichi, witnesses the horrifying aftermath: the torment and execution of innocent men and women, the destruction of homes and shops in violent rampages.

As Rakovei grows older, a profound disillusionment settles within him. He comprehends the suffering endured by his people, tragically caught in the crossfire of the Indian Army and the Naga underground movement. The promise of even basic security seems distant, lying in the distant “mainland,” but it carries the weight of prejudice and racism that cast dark shadows over their hopes.

“Waiting for the Dust to Settle” offers a poignant and at times searing glimpse into the lives of ordinary Nagas during the turbulent final decades of the twentieth century. With profound sensitivity, this novel chronicles their resilience as they navigate a fragile existence, balancing between hope and despair.