Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 22
Reconciliation, Unity and peace, is the need and aspiration of the Naga people. These were the three strong words, stressed upon by different speakers today at the 1st anniversary of the “unification of Nagas” of the “GPRN/NSCN” at its Khehoi designated camp in Dimapur. “This programme is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of entire Naga people, whose firm insistence on unity and reconciliation of the Nagas has removed all mental barricades in the quest of common vision.” This was written at the rear of the ‘programme leaflet.’
Azheto Chophy, kilo kilonser of the “GPRN/NSCN” while giving a brief account on the initiation of “all Naga unification,” said “if we cannot unify today, it will be difficult to unify tomorrow” and that misunderstanding among leaders of the different groups should be sorted out with “proper discussion within ourselves”. He said leaders should not misinterpret but rather it was the responsibility of the leaders to work for Naga reconciliation with prayer support from the common people, for its success.
Referring to the vexed Naga political problem, Chophy said “Nagas need only one sovereignty, but there are three to four organisations, so Government of India is very happy to separate Nagas.” “Everybody is talking about peace and unity, but unless we are united violence cannot be stopped,” he said. “Last year, in this day, when we decided to make unification, we were slammed with different allegations” he claimed. Unless Nagas are united there will be no solution, he added.
Speaking about factional killings, he said there has been increase in the number of Naga widows and orphans due to factional killings amongst Nagas and maintained that unless we unify, Naga people will vanish killing each other. He also said that many tribal hohos, civil societies, organizations and NGOs are working for the unity of Nagas and to bring about final solution. He expressed regret that killings among brothers were taking place under the banner of Nagaland for Christ.
Keviletuo Kiewhuo, President of Naga Hoho, said that the apex tribal body will display solidarity with all out sincere effort to unify, protect, promote and uphold the rights of Naga people. Expressing solidarity to the GPRN/NSCN, he said there was feeling of skepticism, mistrust and rumours at the initial stage of the formation of GPRN/NSCN. However, he continued that unity should have purpose and each and every identity should be respected. He also appealed to the different national groups to stop hostility and media war and give chance to peace, unity and reconciliation.
Expounding on the role of common people, he said people have to come together across the land of Nagas with one voice and continued that as long as people were divided there was less chance of reconciliation. “If we cannot accommodate all section of people, reconciliation is not possible,” he stressed. He also reminded that the foremost objective will be for the people to come together as one with a common voice. Today the national workers are not the cause of division but the public with tacit support for one or the other Naga groups are the main reason for the source of division, he said.
The Naga Hoho president also made an appeal on streamlining the taxation policy of all national workers which remains the continuing grounds for killings over competition for resources. “Please streamline your taxation policy,” he appealed to the leaders of different national groups and added that reconciliation and unification should go simultaneously.
A Taku Longkumer, convener of GBs and DBs Forum, Nagaland, who could not able to attend the programme in his speech, stated that “Peace and unification of Nagas without discrimination of any tribes or places is the wish and desire of all Nagas.” “The GBs and DBs are highly appreciated that all groups of Naga National Workers have accepted our 5 points Resolution arrived on 6th June 2007 Kohima, both in principle and in written to stop bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst the Naga National Workers groups and to maintain peace and unity amongst all. So we remind all groups to honour your own commitments,” stated the speech. The forum further appealed to all groups to revoke the quit notice, ex-communication and bans served by different groups, to eradicate intransigent and vengeance so as to allow peace, unity and reconciliation amongst all, to achieve our common goal.
Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, while expressing his hope that reconciliation, unity and peace should be upheld, said “Let this become the movement of people for Naga reconciliation, unity and peace.” He also appealed to the people to work for the future and added that people were demoralized by the past incidents of violence. “We cannot do alone, we need support of each and everyone,” he stressed while expressing happiness that all political groups have expressed support for the reconciliation process. Dr Aier remarked “If we remain in the past, we become the slaves of the present but the past and the future should mutually interpret the present.” In conclusion he appealed to the gathering to make the current ongoing initiative to transform into a genuine peoples movement for the Naga people for reconciliation unity and peace.
The convener of NPMHR, said sincerity was the prerequisite for peace, unity and reconciliation. “Even our national workers fight for material and wealth,” he said, adding “Let’s all change our attitude and reconcile ourselves.” He appealed to all for a change of attitude and to work judiciously towards achieving the common vision for unification of land and people, for which NPMHR has consistently worked for and assuring support for any initiative towards realizing it.
Imchatoba, President of NSF, said “Until we get political redemption we cannot have peace.” “At this hour, if we cannot maintain and achieve unity and reconciliation, a time will come when plenty of students will go for anti-social activities,” he cautioned. He also called upon the gathering for serious moments of retrospection. He shared that during the recent tour undertaken by the NSF to all Naga areas, the masses expressed demands for peace and honourable solution. The younger generation needs to be given hope free from the present trend of killings, hatred, corruption, he stated and cautioned that without a just and lasting settlement, Nagas are in for a new breed of sophisticated anti-socials in our society. Young people desire and want a vibrant future, he said.
Pohwang Konyak, advisor of ENPO said without unity and peace, solution will not come. Therefore, he stressed that all organization should work towards building peace and unity. Pointing out that without unity and reconciliation, Nagas are in for self-destruction, Pohwang said unless Nagas unite, Government of India will continue to make “dancing monkeys out of us while they harvest our division at our people’s expense”.
Toshi Wungthung, general secretary of ENPO while stating that bad things should be avoided, said “Do not repeat the past mistakes.” He call for reformative, corrective and transformative changes if Nagas are to reconcile. Others who spoke on the occasion included Rev. Vesupra Tetseo of NBCC and S Zalipu, president of the Western Sumi Kukami Hoho. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks from Singson, Kilonser, External Affairs of GPRN/NSCN.
