Since the turn of this century, the urgency for Naga reconciliation picked up momentum and the public yearning for reconciliation was felt like never before. The imperative need for the different Naga groups engaged in the political struggle for sovereignty to forgive each other and to ultimately create a shared and common future is paramount. And therefore Naga reconciliation itself has become a political necessity; because the existing divisions and factional violence threatens to destroy the very cause that gave rise to the movement itself. In this backdrop the “Covenant of Reconciliation” signed by three senior leaders of the Naga movement is a historic opportunity to pave the way towards the full realization of Naga reconciliation as a political reality.
Reconciliation is the desire of the people. Hence there have been numerous ongoing efforts for Naga reconciliation at different levels of society for many years; and more recently with the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation it has put into context the praxis of Naga reconciliation. While recognizing the sincerity and commitment of each one of these efforts, it has now become essential for these multiple efforts and initiatives to find common ground; so that the shared purpose and objective to realize Naga reconciliation is strengthened. This is of absolute importance because the Naga Reconciliation process has entered un-chartered waters. The process is no longer in a preparatory stage. With the “Covenant of Reconciliation” the process has without much ado, neared a very fragile and critical pinnacle.
With the “Covenant of Reconciliation” taking the reconciliation effort into another phase of the process, the time is now for the Naga reconciliation process to become more inclusive in its character. And in the spirit of openness, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has the opportunity to demonstrate its magnanimity by once more turning to the Naga people and Naga frontal organizations to renew and revitalize the core of its being before it continues in its journey towards reconciliation. In other words, the forum must seize this opportunity to get the people more involved in the praxis and to together seek and create viable options to take Naga reconciliation forward. Considering there are also multiple ongoing efforts for reconciliation, it is now an opportune moment for greater interaction to take place so that the multiple efforts can assume complimenting roles to enable reconciliation to be a political reality.
The “Covenant of Reconciliation” provides a historic opportunity for Nagas to rise to the occasion to forgive one another, and to assure that past mistakes do not happen again and above all, to walk together and shape a common and shared dignified future. This moment of pause is crucial for all Nagas, before we continue in the journey once again. Serious and honest discernment is required at all levels of society and above all, for those who are involved in the Naga groups (factions), it is imperative for them to recognize the opportunity they have in their hands to change the direction of the future. If, Nagas miss this historic opportunity to make reconciliation a political reality, it will have drastic implications on the Naga movement and above all it would mean the continued degeneration of the Naga people. So hopefully, for the sake of the future, lets hope, Naga leaders will have the foresight to seize this historic opportunity to achieve reconciliation.
