As a concerned Naga, it is genuinely felt that killing one another must be stopped immediately because it only increases suspicions and bitterness which has ultimately divided the Nagas to the point or no return and it is one of the biggest hurdles in the process of asserting our Rights and our struggle for self-determination. Once again various NGOs like Naga Hoho, NSF, NMA, ENSF, ANSAM, ENPO, NPMHR, NBCC and tribal Hohos must be given a fair chance to take initiatives for reconciliation movement, this time a relentless pursuit to see the final outcome. To make that happen, a change in tactics based on applying pressure to the warring factions such as bans, picketing, applying public force to prevent factional wars, use of force when inevitable, boycotting any faction leaders from making public statement if their agenda is not for reconciliation, stop paying taxes to any factions, distributing booklet for collecting general public opinion, taking action against any defaulting community or organization, etc. should be pursued and during this reconciliation movement the State Government can provide security and police force to protect civilians as a neutral party to the movement.
At present, as far as the issue of factions is concerned, it has to be accepted in a more realistic manner that any of the faction is definitely not willing to surrender their nomenclature or policy of their organization, therefore it will be more appropriate if the status quo is maintained and a Reconciliation Committee is formed under the initiative of the NGOs with four or five member representatives each from all the factions and draft a Naga Reconciliation agreement acceptable to all. In a nutshell agreement on the basis of national principles, tolerance toward one another, not resorting to killings though differences in ideology or approach, solving differences though negotiation only and not through guns, striving together to achieve the goals of Nagas’ self-determination and better understanding among the Nagas. On the other hand essentially different as it is, the different factions have a lot to contribute from their respective camps if there is reconciliation among Nagas; when it comes to diplomacy and international matters NSCN (IM) can exercise greater influence than their counterparts but when it comes to practical jobs and manpower the NSCN (K) can readily contribute for it and the NNC can advice both the factions for restraint when it feels that they go too far while exercising their power in terms of political ideology, luxury or even violence by enlightening them with Naga past struggle and principle of democracy as such reconciliation has even more advantages in finding political solution.
In conclusion, what can be emphatically asserted here is that the Nagas must make a serious decision to give importance to both reconciliation and solution equally, one without the other will be very fatal, as such, along with reconciliation solution must come, or along with solution reconciliation must come. It has to be understood without reservation that to annihilate one group or the other to assert one’s dominance to solve the Naga problem is a wrong notion and unrealistic and even poses a serious threat to the future prospect of Nagas’ right to self-determination. Therefore, the Naga national leaders must give a second thought that to continue the game of self-destruction; we allow the enemies to gain a strong foot-hold which ultimately will seal the fate of our people where our land and its peoples be permanently divided but for those who cannot dare think that Nagas be divided on the narrow line of hatred and prejudice must take some action to bring reconciliation.
AV Nyekha, Kohima
