(From left to right) V S Atem retd. gen. of the NSCN (IM) and emissary to the collective leaders, Zalu Sapu, kilonser of the FGN and C Singson, senior kilonser of the NSCN/GPRN speaking in turns during the Naga reconciliation meet with the Naga civil society groups and the Naga ‘political’ groups at Dimapur on Wednesday, August 26. (Photo/Caisii Mao)
Ashiko Pfuzhe
Dimapur | August 26
In a significant development likely to change the course of the Naga “national” movement, three Naga political groups today declared together their commitment to “Naga Reconciliation: A journey of common hope” initiated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).
Representatives of the three political groups – NSCN(IM), ‘GPRN/NSCN’ and FGN – in their respective speeches at the meeting convened by FNR here at Hotel Saramati, assured the Naga populace represented by forty two Naga civil society organizations including tribe hohos that they were fully supporting and committed to the Naga reconciliation process.
Speaking on behalf of the collective leadership of the ‘GPRN/NSCN’, kilonser C Singson said the ‘GPRN/NSCN’ would continue to support ‘Reconciliation’ in tune with the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation” jointly signed by NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu, ‘GPRN/NSCN’ chairman SS Khaplang and FGN president ‘Brig’ (retd) S Singnya. Sharing his experience of joint meetings of the groups initiated by the Forum, Singson said that in the initial stages of the process he felt as if a “fish bone” was stuck in his throat whenever he sat together on the same table with members of the other political groups. But “today things are different,” he declared and credited the FNR for the changing environment. The ‘GPRN/NSCN’ kilonser further called upon the Naga public to start playing their role as the need of the hour was for Nagas to reconcile.
Kilo kilonser Zaleo Sapu who spoke on behalf of the FGN (Brig Singnya) expressed happiness that after several years of internal strife and turbulence, various Naga political groups could come together and express their voices in an atmosphere of relative calm and peace. Conveying gratitude to FNR for making such an event possible, Sapu also expressed gratitude to other political groups for openly coming forward to discuss a common Naga destiny. “We have come a long way,” he surmised.
Emissary to collective leadership, NSCN(IM), ‘Gen’ (retd) VS Atem also reiterated the NSCN’s support to the Reconciliation process and said that even in times of turmoil, God has never failed the Nagas and has provided leadership in the form of the FNR led by its convenor Rev. Dr. Wati Aier.
Paying respect and homage to past Naga men and women who laid the foundation of the Naga nation, he pointed out that several of them were present in the meeting, Atem said Nagas will still continue to look up to them for guidance and inspiration. He also saluted the Naga women for coming forward to show solidarity and concern for Naga cause. The emissary further assured the gathering that, the NSCN (IM) would not enter into any agreement with the Government of India without the consent of the Naga people; and asserted that they would never betray the political rights of the Nagas.
Veteran Naga national leaders including ‘Gen’ (retd) Thinosilie Keyho and former NNC Panger Walling and also the NNC women wing president Kethonuo lend credence to the voices and cries of reconciliation that echoed in today’s meeting.
Acknowledging FNR for its role in the reconciliation process, ‘Gen’ Keyho said if Nagas follow the “basis” of reconciliation, it would be a success. He however cautioned that reconciliation was not a “matter of joke” and anyone afraid of taking risks should not “waste their time” with the serious issue of reconciliation. He also reminded that the Government of India was still trying to divide Nagas by pitching them against one another.
Former NNC president Panger Walling in his address said Nagas can achieve their aspiration only through unification and reconciliation. NNC women wing president Kethonuo said Nagas have been divided since the Shillong Accord in 1975 and the only way out was for Nagas to “forgive and unite” and to identify the common enemy. Both Walling and Kehtonuo were of the opinion that the main hurdle to Nagas becoming one was due to “love” of leadership. Naga Hoho Speaker HK Zhimomi, and representatives from ENPO and Naga Council Dimapur and others in their speeches also endorsed the reconciliation process.
A representative from Naga Yuya, the apex Naga body of Nagas living in Burma, who also spoke on the occasion, urged Naga leaders to focus more on the “issues” since Nagas in Burma, were suffering the most due to protracted Naga problem. The younger brother of Chairman SS Khaplang was among the three-member Naga Yuya team. Special songs were presented by a joint choir comprising of cadres from both Khehoi and Hebron camps. Earlier, the meeting started with invocation by Fr. Abraham, while Z Keyho, academic dean of OTS, delivered the message.
