Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 26
In a significant push towards reconciliation among Naga political groups, a “Joint Working Group” (JWG) comprising of members from three political groups - NSCN (IM), ‘GPRN/NSCN’ and FGN – has been constituted, with the main task of facilitating and expediting in convening a meeting of top Naga political leaders, at the earliest, with assistance of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).
Constituted during the third joint meeting of the Naga groups with FNR on August 25, leaders of JWG will also assist in coordinating with the FNR to enable the meeting to take place at the earliest time possible, informed FNR convenor Rev, Dr. Wati Aier in his address at the public meeting held here at Hotel Saramati on Wednesday.
Apprising the Naga frontal organizations and public about the progress of the “Journey of common hope” undertaken by FNR more than a year ago, Rev. Aier said much progress has been made since the public meeting at Sumi Baptist Church on September 23, 2008, where more than thirty nine tribal bodies and other related organizations including the Church, endorsed and entrusted FNR to carry out the task of facilitating a meeting of Naga political leaders at the highest level.
He said FNR had taken task with commitment and that with the help of God, the “Covenant of Reconciliation” was jointly signed on June 2009 by NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu, ‘GPRN/NSCN’ chairman SS Khaplang and FGN president ‘Brig’ (retd) S Singnya. “To our mind, this is one of the most significant epochs in the history of the Naga political movement in recent times,” the FNR convenor said.
“If FNR has been able to accomplish something, it is because of the encouragement and support of all of you longing for a unified voice. And for this, we remain thankful to all and to God,” he said. Rev Aier also said that despite many difficulties, the “Naga political groups” have made concerted efforts for Naga public to experience and witness the de-escalation of killings and violence.
“With patience and understanding let us offer them our support and cooperation. Let us also understand the difficulties the leaders face. The task before them is challenging. At times we have been too critical and insensitive to our Naga national workers. The time is at hand for the people of the land to be more constructive and reassuring to our Naga national leaders and their rank and file, for their commitment to Naga reconciliation,” he said.
Stating that in the social, cultural and political context of the Nagas, reconciliation and forgiveness means a “new Naga destiny,” Rev. Aier said Naga nationalism was founded on the historical and political rights of the Nagas by the founding men and women decades ago. “Nagas can be set free through reconciliation and forgiveness. This is our hope. We believe in the Nagahood which is set free through reconciliation and forgiveness,” he added.
On the occasion, a “Statement of commitment” was also read out and unanimously endorsed by the gathering comprising of various Naga political groups, tribal bodies and civil society, and former national workers. Rev. VK Nuh, an elderly church leader and a member of the FNR led the gathering in a prayer of acceptance of the Statement of Commitment.
