Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 29
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has come out with a definite framework to facilitate a ground for the factions and for this purpose, has mooted a series of round-table talks, at the level of Kilonsers in a place to be proposed by the Church. While presuming that all the factions will not be able to agree with one another so easily at first, nevertheless the NBCC pointed out that the first step required was to accept one another for a start. The NBCC is hopeful that once this series of round-table talks begin, topmost leaders of all groups would be able to sit down together later.
The proposal of the NBCC is contained in a booklet titled ‘Proposal for healing and reconciliation of the Naga people’, which was released as part of the ‘Healing and Reconciliation movement’ beginning today.
The NBCC pointed out that if the various factions assented to this framework, then it would do its best to follow it up. “The NBCC is not obliged to participate as a party to the political discussion, but is willing to facilitate the ground for the factions to come. At best, if so desired by others, it can also offer pastoral services”, the booklet mentions.
As part of the round-table talks, the NBCC also proposes that representatives from each group set aside some days for prayer and Bible study, and listening to stories of other national reconciliations. The different groups must also agree that there would be no more killing among them.
If at all the above mentioned round-table talks begin, the NBCC also proposes to help national workers “walking through the history of Naga political movement”. This will require several sittings where sharing of hurt and grievances, confession and forgiveness shall take place, according to the NBCC while proposing that 13 specific points will form the basis of discussion.
It may be mentioned that the 13 points highlighted by the NBCC in the booklet includes ‘The launching of the Naga struggle for nationhood’; ‘The co-operation option’, ‘Creation of the State of Nagaland’; ‘The first ceasefire with India in 1964’; ‘The revolutionary government and its withdrawal’; ‘The Shillong Accord’; ‘Naga National Council (opposed to Shillong Accord)’; ‘The formation of NSCN by Isak Swu, SS Khaplang and Thuingaleng Muivah’; ‘The spilt of NSCN into the Isak-Muivah (IM) and Khaplang (K) factions’; ‘The ceasefire of 1997 and the new rounds of talks between NSCN (IM) and Government of India and the consultations in Bangkok and Nagaland’; ‘The ceasefire between NSCN (K) and Government of India signed in 2001’; ‘The issue of integration’; ‘The inability to stop the continuing killing of Nagas by Nagas and the oppressive legacy of lawlessness’. “It is anticipated that these 13 points would lead to further areas of contention and healing”, the booklet states.
The NBCC also stated that Nagas urgently required the restoration of trust and relationship while pointing out that restoration required confession however painful it may be. “The divine way of restoration involves admission of guilt and responsibility. It makes no attempt to blame others. Until this happens, healing does not take place”, the NBCC booklet states.
The booklet released today also encourages people to use this paper as a platform to hear what people say and also freely express what they know is true and right. The NBCC also points out that since the Church has taken the initiative, the tribal leaders work out the reconciliation process. All the different national groups are to also give adequate hearing to the voice and conscience of the public. “The Church shall intensify its prayer effort”.
