Morung Express News
Kohima | June 9
Civil societies from Assam and Nagaland today identified the interference of ‘third force’ as the main factor responsible for the deteriorating relationship between the people of Assam and Nagas and resolved to stop such force at all cost. The dialogue also affirmed not to let ‘others’ solve the conflict in the region but to do it through people to people initiatives.
Apparently referring to the involvement of Indian Security and its various agencies for fomenting enmity between the people of the two sister states, especially in the border, the participants made sincere attempt to find strategies that will thwart the ‘third party’ from creating further misunderstanding and division between the two communities.
Dilip Patgiri, Chief Coordinator of the People Committee for Peace in Assam (PCPIA) termed the dialogue as an important beginning that will clear the air of misunderstanding and re-strengthen the amicable historical ties between the Assamese and the Nagas. He cautioned that ‘third party’ is creating division amongst the people so as to exploit the North East region. “We have to live in peace. To do this, people to people dialogue must continue so that amicable relation is restored between the two communities”, Dilip asserted while leading the dialogue.
Lachit Bordoloi, another chief coordinator of the PCPIA opined that there has never been a big conflict between the people of Assam and Nagaland which need to be solved, but some ‘external force’ has been trying to create misunderstanding between the two communities so sometimes relations get disturbed.
Making firm emphasize on the need to stop any ‘external force’ from coming in, to disturb peaceful coexistence, Lachit added that New Delhi is working against the interest of the Naga and Assamese.
“As conscious citizens it is our duty to stop such external hands. No external force can damage our relationship. And if we achieve this everything will be clear”, Lachit affirmed. He also went on to say that if Assam is burning Nagaland cannot expect to live in peace and vice versa and to bring peace amongst the people of the two states is a ‘historical compulsion’.
Naga Hoho President, Bendangmayang Jamir, said prior to the advent of the British, the Assamese and Nagas had a beautiful relationship, and this historical bond need to be renewed and strengthened. Neingulo Krome, General Secretary of the Naga Hoho also said that government of India has used people against people to resolve the conflict and blamed the latter of playing psychological war.
Naga Mother Association President Keshili said that such peace dialogue has been the long time dream of the Naga mother. She said that some people under the guise of peace maker are creating misunderstanding amongst the people of the two states.
NSF President Imchatoba Imchen on behalf of the Federation reaffirmed its desired to maintain good relationship with all the communities of the North Eastern region.
Earlier, in the opening remark, Secretary General of the NPMHR, Dr N. Venuh said that today dialogue is just the beginning. He also maintained that ‘external force’ has made the people of the two states to misunderstand each other.
About 27 civil societies from Assam, including women organizations, under the aegis of the People’s Committee for Peace in Assam (PCPIA), took part in the dialogue, while the Nagas side was represented by Naga Hoho, Naga Mother Association and Naga Students’ Federation. Although, the All Assam Students’ Union did not part-take in the dialogue it has extended support, Lachit said.
The day long program which was held at Dimori Cove, under the theme: ‘Dialogue for strengthening relationship between the peoples of Assam and the Nagas’ was organized by the Naga People Movement for Human Right (NPMHR).
The two sides deliberated the various factors that are responsible for creating misunderstanding between the people of Assam and Nagaland at threadbare and the need to immediately to thwart the wave of ‘third force’ in creating misunderstanding amongst the people of the two states, and its strategies, and to make peace sustainable through continuous people-to-people dialogue in the days to come.
Both the parties also decided to work to stop the used of community name like the Punjab regiment, Assam Rifle or J&K Rifle etc by the Indian Security force while tackling the problem of other communities. This, they agreed, bring more alienation amongst the people of different region.
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