The need for individuals, groups and communities to take affirmative steps toward unity is imperative in the Naga context. Remarkably, even though the Naga reconciliation process has been quiet for a while, the fact remains that the process involving the different Naga national political groups continues to hold. Despite difficult circumstances it has not broken and deteriorated into violence. The leaders of the various Naga national political groups are to be credited for their commitment and steadfastly upholding the spirit and intent of reconciliation.
In context, the vision of reconciliation and unity is not a onetime event, rather it involves a series of achievable incremental steps in order to accomplish objectives. It is here that Naga civil society needs to help in furthering the process of reconciliation and political unity by developing several stages that are not only realistic but achievable and manageable. A step-by-step process will build trust based on friendships and relationships that will overcome the trust-deficit by breaking down fear, suspicion and distrust with more positive and affirmative values of openness, reciprocal trust, dialogue and solidarity.
The ‘Naga Gathering’ of individuals from diverse backgrounds and organizations at Kolkata during the last week of April was a critical and timely intervention. Their statement A Naga Imperative: Retrospecting and Imagining (http://morungexpress.com/naga-imperative-retrospecting-imagining/) contains a number of suggestions that can be developed into stages that builds into the larger process of purposeful unity. A foundational step in this process involves the need for Naga national political leaders and their groups to qualify the principle of forgiveness by entering into a new relationship of equality, trust and dignity with each other and with the Naga public.
Ultimately, forgiveness is inherent to the reconciliation process and building political unity. Forgiveness needs to be simultaneously sustained and strengthened through an inclusive mechanism for cooperation that comes out of a process of dialogue. A mechanism for cooperation is essential as it would empower the process to relate and interact with each other and with the public by following the principles of transparency and accountability. This will catalyze the process of consciously creating democratic and safe spaces for dialogue and enabling an honest conversation on a shared Naga future with each other and with the changing world.
Above all cooperation will help us realize our own strength in unity and the absolute truth that all Nagas need each other to evolve into a respected, dignified, free and democratic society.
