Dimapur, Feb 15 (MExN): Even while blaming the NSCN-K for precipitating events that led to the February 13 public eruption in Phek, the NSCN-IM has cautioned public leaders not to “manipulate the Naga situation for short-term leverage”. However it has called to “give peace a chance”.
“Public leaders should also not manipulate the Naga situation for short term political leverage nor cultivate ‘isms’ or inclinations” advised an MIP NSCN-IM release received here. Public leaders should harness wisdom with “futuristic vision” so that Nagas are rescued from all divisionism and their political aspirations salvaged, it opined. The NSCN-IM also stated that Nagas should not let the status-quo of ‘arbitrarily imposed boundaries and temporary economic lures hijack their protracted political issue’, but defeat all detrimental elements with “our proud and judicious principles”.
While admitting that “we have committed mistakes in the past and may continue to make mistakes now and then”, the NSCN-IM however called to give peace a chance. “…unless we give peace a chance and continue to justify ourselves by pointing fingers or blaming one another, peace will remain elusive” it stated. “Why do not we give peace a chance by extending peaceful gestures in forgiveness rather than groping for justifications against it? Either good or bad, we are to collectively bear, so it is for us to choose what may be best for us than opting for self inflicting choices” it stated.
On the Phek outrage, the NSCN-IM blamed the NSCN-K: “Following the proclamation of the Yaruiwo for “peace and reconciliation” the NSCN/GPRN maintained maximum restrain from all offensive operations. Unless attacked upon, consonant to the Yaruiwo’s peace proclamation and also heeding to the Chakhesang Peoples Organization’s appeal, to refrain from all armed confrontations in and around Phek, the Naga Army strictly maintained in abiding by the peace call” it maintained. “But to our utter dismay, the Khaplang outfit and NNC/FGN combined forces attacked the Naga Army while observing Sunday Services beginning from 11th February in contravention of the CPO’s peace call” it said adding that this led “to the disenchantment of the Chakhesang public as well as rendered the innocent students to suffer especially during the on-going examinations”.
However, whatever differences may exist and may continue to exist, there is no benefit in engaging in feudal wars and fratricidal confrontations or “mud slinging media hype” would be “our penultimate nemesis” the NSCN-IM stated querying if it is not it inappropriate in “justifying ourselves for facts committed in the name of our nationalism against our brotherhood?”
