Dimapur, May 18 (MExN): After a lot of hurdles, setbacks and unsuccessful ventures in the past, the Naga Hoho, apex Naga tribal organisation, today decided to involve in the Herculean task of peace and reconciliation among the various Naga underground factions and tribes by constituting a ‘Unity and Reconciliation Committee’ to work for bringing about peace and unity in the Naga society.
The decision for instituting the committee has been taken at a crucial meeting of the Naga Hoho at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur which was attended by about fifty Naga tribal representatives from seventeen Naga communities including the Eastern Naga Peoples Organisation. The participants in the meeting brain-stormed on the question ‘why the Naga people should continue fighting each other instead of coming together towards solving the Indo-Naga political problem,’ one of the participants at the meeting told The Morung Express.
He said that after thorough deliberations, the participants resolved to constitute a ‘working committee on peace and reconciliation movement representing various tribes. The respective Hohos have been entrusted to nominate the persons to be the member of this committee’.
According to top Naga Hoho leaders, the respective tribe Hohos will select their nominee and forward it to the Naga Hoho, from which a convenor of the committee will be appointed from among the nominees. The exercise to conduct the selection of the nominees for the committee will be completed latest by June 10-15.
Highly reliable sources disclosed that the number of tribes selected to form this committee constitute eight tribes and some NGOs.
The most significant and notable feature of today’s Naga Hoho meeting was the participation of the non-member of the Naga Hoho, Eastern Naga peoples Organisation (ENPO) who participated on the invitation o the Naga Hoho.
Naga Hoho, General Secretary, Neingulo Krome described the ENPO participation as a ‘new beginning’ and ‘very encouraging’.
Hoho President, Bendangmayang Jamir said that the ENPO has decided to take up the issue during their General Session in May 24 at Tuensang. Jamir said that the ENPO representative expressed their desire on Naga unity, solidarity in consensus with the Naga Hoho.
On being asked what compelled the Hoho to constitute such a committee, Hoho General Secretary, Krome said that for a long time, the Naga people have been urging the Naga Hoho to form such a committee for peace and reconciliation. He said that this move comes as a response to the people’s desire. He said that the primary objective of the committee is to urge the undergrounds to stop killings, to urge the Nagas to get over tribal differences and also encourage a healing process in the society.
Naga Hoho President Bendangmayang, on the sidelines of the Committee said, “We will approach the different factions to come to one platform, come to one opinion. That Committee will appeal to different national groups to come to one clear opinion to find an honourable and acceptable solution, a consolidated opinion for the cause of the Nagas.”
On being asked about the committee, academician Prof Lanunungsang said, “It will be a Herculean task on the part of the Committee because they will have to move from pillar to post in search of peace, love and reconciliation without which Nagas cannot move ahead.”
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