Dimapur, June 28 (MExN): The Forum for Naga Reconciliation has stated that the Chiang Mai VIII has strengthened the Naga reconciliation process to a higher plane. In this regard the FNR informed that Mr. Hothrong Yimchungru, ‘kilo kilonser’, GPRN/NSCN, in his message from his organization to the FNR had reaffirmed to uphold and support “the spirit of reconciliation”.....and “shall remain steadfast.”
The FNR informed that the gathering on June 21, 2010, was led in the ‘spirit of Christ to a time of confession and seeking forgiveness’. “The Rev. V K Nuh, who refused to hearken to God’s message through the Naga Shisha Hoho, has personally time and again experienced the leading of God in the Journey of Common Hope”. He said, “I confess before God and my fellow Nagas for being skeptical to the workings of God’s spirit and I ask God’s forgiveness and also forgiveness from my people.”
The convener, Dr. Wati Aier, confessed to the gathering that often times, he has been “self- dependent” forgetting to seek God’s mercy and grace. He also admitted of being intolerant, haughty, tempermental, and insensitive. “My words and actions have made many of my fellow Nagas angry and hurt. Therefore, in the name of God I confess all my wrongs before God and my fellow friends to forgive me.”
Mr. Nepuni Piku, FNR member, thanked God for His protecting his life and in “God’s name I harbor no ill feelings against the perpetrators who have harmed me and I have forgiven them.”
In a most powerful way, the words of ‘gen (retd)’ VS Atem, emissary to the collective leaders of NSCN/GPRN brought the gathering to a pin-drop silence and later on to tears of joy and hope, the FNR stated. Atem said, “I was born a Naga and I will die a Naga. I am proud to fight for my motherland. I have been a soldier all my life and directly or indirectly, while fighting for the cause of the right of the Nagas, under my command as the military chief, I have caused untold sufferings of pain and tears to my fellow Nagas and for this I seek forgiveness from God and from my fellow Naga people…..Please! Please! Tell everybody you know about my request for forgiveness.”
Mr. Zhopra Vero, Vice-President, FGN/NNC, testified his tale of him being a target of assassination and had to seek refuge elsewhere. There he made up his mind to purchase arms and to take revenge on those who made an attempt on his life. But on the dawn of March 24, 2007 at 2:15am, God spoke to him, “not to take revenge” for it is God who says, “It is mine to avenge, I will repay.” That was the decisive moment for Mr. Vero who knelt down and sought forgiveness from God for his revengeful heart. He sincerely, in God’s name testified that “I have sought God’s forgiveness and I have also forgiven all those who made an attempt on my life.”
Pointing out that the Journey of Common Hope still has miles to walk, the FNR nevertheless testified that in “most extraordinary ways, God is doing some unexpected things in the midst of the Nagas”. “This points to hope!” the FNR stated and called upon all Nagas to reciprocate the urgent calls from the Nagas, especially from leaders such as, Gen (Retd) V S Atem, and Mr. Zhopra Vero.
