DIMAPUR, JULY 24 (MExN): Every single speaker in today’s meeting had a common agenda. The message of peace. All who spoke during the program announcing the formal declaration of ceasefire between the different Naga groups supported the endeavour of the gaonburas and the dobashis.
But the main suggestion that was made to them was to bring the underground groups with differences to a platform for dialogue. Zhenito, president of the Zunheboto District GB’s Association trumpeted a clear message: “Our children are fighting. Will the fathers remain silent? GB’s are the father of the villagers and DB’s are guardians of the customary laws.” He expressed his contentment over the reality that four months had elapsed since the last factional fighting at Zunheboto. He continually stressed on the need for factions to sit together and chalk out differences.
General Kulkarni asked the forum to take bold steps and exuded confidence by telling them, “You cannot fail. I can promise you that.” Speaking to The Morung Express before the commencement of the programme, he said the step taken by the GB’s and DB’s was welcome and hoped that they would succeed in bringing peace.
Naga Hoho speaker HK Zhimomi and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization vice president Shilu Sangtam reiterated the need for the factions to come together for discussions, all the while pledging their full support to the joint forum. Zhimomi asked all Nagas to shed their tribal egos as “nobody is above the nation.”
Representative of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Reverend Kari Longchar, said, “We should be impartial. I hope that the ceasefire (between the groups) will be forever.”
Reverend Puni of the NSCN (IM) however said the agreement should extend to all Naga inhabited areas.
Speaking not as additional chief secretary or commissioner, but as the “head” of the GB’s and DB’s, TN Mannen challenged the joint forum to be steadfast in their commitment. “If you do not succeed this time you do not deserve to be GB’s or DB’s.” He encouraged them by saying, “It is a long journey but you have the support of the people.”
He hoped that yesterday’s factional firing at Kohima would be the last instance of such violence after today’s formal declaration.
He asked the Nagas to shift their patriotism from clans or tribes to a people as a whole and called for removal of “hypocrisy in our society.”
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