The steps taken by the various Naga political groups in the Naga Reconciliation process are encouraging signs; and despite the air cynicism, it remains a matter of fact that violence between the various Naga political groups have decreased to a large extent ever since the reconciliation process started. The fact that they are sitting together to address difficulties indicates the progress they have made. Their willingness to take small and yet practical steps to create conducive atmosphere on the ground demonstrates the growing commitment and mutual respect to address the more difficult and broader issues of a shared future.
Since the signing of the Covenant of Reconciliation by leaders of three of the Naga political groups, the sense of purpose towards reconciliation is being felt in a more apparent manner; and the willingness to jointly address difficulties has been expressed with more clarity. Hence the agreement by the signatory groups of the Covenant of Reconciliation to delegate a team of permanent representatives with authority should strengthen the reconciliation efforts and provide some sense of stability to the process.
The formation of a ‘Joint Functional Consortium/Working Group’ that will now attend all subsequent meetings as stated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation should be in a better position ‘to accelerate the task ahead of the Nagas.’ For those following the reconciliation process, the mutual consent to formulate a joint consortium is a significant step, because it implies that the process is now moving into the next phase in which the focus is more in problem solving, and not just identifying and asserting problems. It implies there is growing readiness to jointly explore solutions to the problems.
The most encouraging sign from the recent developments of the Naga reconciliation process is the statement made by the Convenor of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, who pointed out that the Naga political groups are ‘more and more looking to a shared future.’ This is critical. While the basis for Naga Reconciliation and Forgiveness is the “historical and political rights of the Nagas,” the culminating condition until this point was not publicly pronounced with clarity. Hence, revelation that the Naga political groups are concerned and willing to look for a shared future, presents a very concrete and practical direction for the reconciliation process.
The importance to place the reconciliation process towards a shared future cannot be overemphasized. It is through a shared future that the transformation of a society is made possible based on values of mutual respect, justice and forgiveness. Any reconciliation process that does not result in a shared future means the failure to embody the wholeness of what reconciliation truly stands for; and in such situations, strife may continue to prevail in spite of reconciliation. Within this context, the willingness of the Naga political groups to reconcile and to look forward to a shared future, presents encouraging signs of new possibilities for the Nagas. Hopefully, these new possibilities will be allowed to become a reality.
