Dimapur, May 17 (MExN): How long should the NSCN (IM) wait for all Naga political groups to “join as one?” The NSCN (IM), which is in a ceasefire as well as political negotiations with the Government of India (GoI), has raised this question today through a press release from its MIP.
Acknowledging the contribution of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) as well as persons and organisations from across the world who have “helped the Nagas to cease violence and create conducive environment to reconcile for united Nagalim,” the NSCN (IM) revealed that the political negotiations have now reached the “most crucial and concluding stage.” Therefore, it stated, it will be “unwise” and “rather absurd” on the part of the Nagas to “prolong or wait indefinitely.”
“The World is racing even for a split of second and how can the Nagas think of nineteen (19) years of negotiation as not long enough?” asked the NSCN (IM).
It recalled that the Covenant of Naga Reconciliation was “duly signed” on July 13, 2009 by S.S. Khaplang, Singnya and Isak Chishi Swu. “We have committed to the Naga people and to God that we will achieve Naga Reconciliation on the basis of the Historical and Political rights of the Nagas,” it observed.
However, in due course of time, S.S. Khaplang “backed out” from this agreement. Kitovi Jimomi, who parted ways with Khaplang, “blaming the latter for withdrawal from the Naga Reconciliation process,” later issued a statement when the reconciliation was reaching a serious stage that “they will not join force” with the NSCN (IM), and would rather seek “separate talks” only for the Nagas of Nagaland.
In 2014, S. Singnya and his group “confessed” at a Naga Reconciliation meeting in Kolkata that their President was Adinno Phizo, stated the NSCN (IM) press release. Observing that in 2008, S. Singnya and his group had “declared to the Naga people that they opposed the Shillong Accord,” the NSCN (IM) noted that this group is not only identifying itself with “Shillong Accordists” but have also “misled” the Nagas in general and the signatories of the Naga Concordant in particular.
In spite of “these failures,” Isak Chishi Swu had issued a statement from his hospital bed on August 25, 2015, appealed all Nagas to “come forward and to unite by forgetting the past mistakes.”
“Today at this very important turning point of our history, the Naga people should know and understand that, the past is past, and that we must all come together in the name of Christ and also respecting and acknowledging our Historical and Political rights,” he had stated.
To carve out a “common future,” Swu had urged all Nagas to “come forward so as to march forward in a united strength to reach a lasting peace and prosperous future of the Nagas.” “With forgiveness all the Nagas should come together and in one accord of mind we should enter the Promised Land,” Swu had said. In that, the NSCN (IM) today “highly appreciated” the “large numbers” who responded to that call and stated that “still many are expected to respond.”
