Dimapur, February 27 (MExN): Emerging to make its stand clear over the issue of “Naga unification,” the Angami Public Organization today issued a statement supporting the concept of “unification.” However, the apex Angami organization also made clear that all Nagas should be equally represented in the initiative for unification as well that respect should be accorded to each others’ “territories” and boundaries to restore hope and confidence in the people. The statement, appended by the organization’s chief executives, also reminded that “unification” cannot be forced on the people by anger, threat and extortion or by the barrel of the gun.
The Angami Public Organization stated: “The APO firmly holds the view that while the goal of unification is most important, the means to achieve the goal is no less vital, if not more. It is necessary that all the Naga tribes join hands together in the task because the Naga tribes must be equally represented in the initiative. Unification envisages peaceful co-existence with mutual respect for one another’s traditional territories and boundaries because there is no territory known as “no-man’s land anywhere throughout the breadth and length of the Naga contiguous inhabited areas.”
The APO also reminded one and all in concern that “unification” cannot be imposed, dictated or forced upon the people by anger, threat and extortion or by the barrel of the gun. Because, the APO reminded, unification in the Naga context is part of the process of healing the souls of the Nagas. “Any national dream not fuelled by God cannot stand the test of time” it reminded.
In summery, the APO set forth its points of stand: “Initiatives of unification should be broad-based so as to include all the Naga tribes and uphold Naga brotherhood. Peace and reconciliation among the political factions must precede unification initiatives so as to stop all forms of violence and fratricidal killings among Nagas. The Naga tribes must have mutual respect for one another’s traditional territories and boundaries so as to restore hope and confidence among the people.”
While agreeing that unification of the war-torn Nagas is the need of the hour to ensure their survival, the APO however expressed support to any initiative for the Nagas’ reconstruction and unification, based on the principles of Naga brotherhood, tolerance, peace and reconciliation acceptable to all Nagas.
