Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 9
In what will be seen as a major boost to the Naga reconciliation process, “general” Khole, ‘commander-in-chief’ of the ‘Naga Army,’ “GPRN/NSCN” has said, that leaving aside past animosity and selfish interests, Naga leaders must ‘come together’ and fight for the historical and political rights of the people. Significantly, Khole responded positively to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation's proposal for possible dialogue at the highest level among Naga ‘political groups’. "Unless Nagas unite and work in the spirit of oneness and unity, our dreams are still far-fetched”, Khole said during a meeting with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. The veteran ‘commander-in-chief’, described as an energetic Naga national stalwart, who had once vowed never to return to the Indian occupied Naga-land until Nagas are independent, visited Mon town after 41 years to consult with the Nagas, in a decisive bid to strengthen the Naga Reconciliation process.
With great passion the ‘general’ expressed “without thinking for our individual cause, Nagas must come together and fight for our rights....today, the situation has brought for us to be one.” Having explained at length the historical and political rights of the Nagas and the narratives of the struggle and the circumstances that led to the present predicament among Nagas, Khole did not mince words when he said in clear terms that it was time “for Nagas to come together as one and talk with India”. Khole emphasized on the need for all the groups to "leave aside all past bickering and to start afresh again. If we reject this present initiative, we will all lose out together."
While expressing anguish at the worsening situation, “general” Khole pointed out that the Angami and Ao Nagas who were the first to accept Christianity and to provide the first leadership to the Naga movement, must take greater responsibility. "If Aos and Angamis are in one spirit; Naga can be united. It is with hope that if they come forward together, Nagas will become one and united”, he said. He also articulated the need for Nagas to understand that "big or small, until Nagas become one there will be no solution." "It’s time Naga leaders should look inward at the very survival of the people," he reminded and pointed out that "Nagas should speak as one." He said conscious and committed Nagas should unite and work out a formula and that "it needs collective effort and transparency."
Expressing deep concern for the future well being of the Nagas, Khole said "I am old and am openly declaring that this Naga struggle leadership should not die along with me. If Nagas are united I will die happily. It's painful but I may not step in even in my native village." "I have worked for 55 years and I have never backed off from my commitment to the Naga cause”, Khole said. “If the Naga public is careful, alert and truthful we will become one otherwise half truths or false comments will further divide and kill” he added.
As for the present Naga reconciliation process, while fully supporting the process, General Khole encouraged the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to labor tirelessly and work out a model for all to walk together. He pointed out that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has become the engine for Nagas to become one. If the engine is not strong, body will remain weak."
Meanwhile, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation in a statement expressed its gratitude to General Khole for travelling all the way from "Eastern Nagaland" to Mon town and making the time to interact with the forum, and for expressing his commitment and willingness for Naga reconciliation. “The Forum for Naga Reconciliation is committed to the cause for Naga reconciliation based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas”, it stated while further affirming that the “Naga reconciliation is in the common interest of all Nagas and for the future of our people”.
Reconciliation Soccer Match on November 13
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation has informed, that the Naga Reconciliation process was started in March 2008 and various events have been organized as part of the ongoing process. As a symbolic expression of their commitment to reconciliation the Naga “political groups” participated in the Naga Reconciliation Soccer match at Kohima organized by the Naga Christian Forum. In response to the Naga Reconciliation Soccer match, the public has responded in the positive and so expressed the need to have another reconciliation match in Dimapur, it stated.
As a result, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation is organizing another Naga Reconciliation Soccer match on November 13 at the Dimapur District Sports Complex. “The forum understands that the Naga Reconciliation Soccer match is only a means to enable and strengthen public action in showing their support to the Naga reconciliation process”, it stated and requested the public to come and express their solidarity to the reconciliation process on November 13. The event will begin at 12 noon, but because of security measures, it was suggested that people arrive at the DDSC well in advance.
