Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 11
Three eminent Naga personalities today received the ‘1st Award for Peace and Socio-Political Service’ instituted by the Jayaprakash Narayan Memorial Trust (JPNMT), Nagaland, in commemoration of the 116th birth anniversary of Late Jayaprakash Narayan, the founder of Nagaland Peace Centre.
The recipients of the award are Rev Dr VK Nuh, Chairman, Naga Archives and Research Centre, Toulazouma; Chingwang Konyak, President, Nagaland Democratic People’s Party, and Late Rev. SA Shihoto, a member of the Nagaland Ceasefire Agreement between the GoI and Federal Government of Nagaland on September 6, 1964.
Rev Nuh received the award in recognition of his contribution towards restoring peace during the most turbulent period of the Indo-Naga conflict “as one of the most influential personalities amongst the Naga clergies and one who also served as 3rd president of Nagaland Peace Centre.”
Chingwang bagged the award for his “immense and commendable contribution to Naga society particularly for upliftment of the down-trodden throughout his life time as elected representative to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the seventh term, holding various portfolios as Minister in the Nagaland government and two time Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha.”
Meanwhile, the citation honoring Late Rev. Shihoto pointed to his contributions in restoring peace, particularly in the most turbulent period of the Indo-Naga conflict, who served as a member, Nagaland Ceasefire Agreement between GoI and Federal Government of Nagaland of September 6, 1964. His granddaughter, Lovika Achumi received the award on behalf of the Shihoto’s family.
Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, conferred the JPNMT awards, which included citation and Rs. 10,000 cash in the presence of Nagaland Minister for Agriculture & Co-operation, G Kaito Aye and a host of leaders at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumukedima.
Singh said it is only natural to remember the role and contribution of Bharat Ratna Jayaprakash Narayan, also fondly called Lok Nayak or JPN, for speedy restoration of peace and normalcy in Nagaland.
“Such celebrations are, in fact a reminder of problems faced during wartime days, otherwise the younger generation tends to forget their roots. This reminds us about sufferings that a war can bring to a country in the absence of peace. I feel obliged to say that we shall be paying a proper homage to the Peace Mission in general and Lok Nayak in particular, and also to the Church leaders for resolutely carrying on the legacy they had left behind”, Singh said.
He also acknowledged the help and co-operation of Church leaders from Nagaland for the success of the Nagaland Peace Mission and the equally important roles played by then Assam CM, BP Chaliha and Rev. Michael Scott.
The Deputy Chairman, RS also recalled an anecdote and said “such was JP’s faith in the people of Nagaland that when he was going to Patna in 1964 from Kohima, a news reporter met him at Calcutta Airport and JP was asked, ‘Sir, what do you say about the sovereign state of Nagaland?’ And JP carefully gave the reply ‘Sovereign state of Nagaland is imminently practicable and negotiable.’”
“Let us try to reinforce JP’s unfailing service to the country and the people of Nagaland, by highlighting his contribution in all walks of public life”, Singh added.
Minister for Agriculture & Co-operation, Kaito Aye, said one of the most significant chapters in the history of Naga political movement was JP Narayan’s participation and contribution towards resolving the Indo-Naga political conflict.
The minister said the first ever Indo-Naga ceasefire in 1964 was mainly because of JP Narayan who along with BP Chaliha and Rev Michael Scott worked to bring peace in Nagaland after forming a Peace Mission on May 23, 1964, at Sakraba Village in Phek district.
Kaito said that the NPC in co-ordination with church leaders of the NBCC met the underground leaders and representatives of the Government of India, and could successfully bring the two parties to the negotiating table towards finding a solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.
He meanwhile requested the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, to appeal to the GoI to expedite the Naga peace process.
