I would at the same time take this opportunity to reaffirm my conscious and consistent convictions regarding the Naga political problem.
a. From the very beginning, I have always maintained that an honourable political settlement alone can satisfy the aspirations of the Naga people. This is amply clear in all the correspondences I have had with AZ Phizo and which have been compiled and published in a booklet almost ten years back.
b.I reiterate that a united Naga voice alone can achieve that honourable political solution.
c. Instead of fighting each other for the same cause, Naga leaders belonging to all shades of political spectrums must first give up all kinds of animosity, ill-will and mistrust from their hearts. Personal egos, paltry self-interests and games of one-upmanship should be sacrificed at the altar of hallowed Naga cause and glorious Naga future.
d. Any organization espousing the cause of the Naga people should not act in a manner which would make them a laughing stock in the eyes of the people and should seriously, sincerely and dedicatedly strive for the common good of the Naga people as a whole and not as disparate communities or disjointed factions. After all, the Naga political problem is not a factional or tribal problem – it is a problem of the entire Naga people.
e. We do not doubt the sincerity and honesty of the Undergound leaders in striving for an honourable political settlement. So, they should put their hearts and minds into it and struggle for a mutually acceptable and practical solution rather than perpetrating violence and hatred in the Naga community.
As a senior and seasoned servant of the public who has seen the transition of contemporary Naga society from a nascent, under-developed stage to a flourishing modernity, it is my fervent desire that we should continue to march ahead shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world. It is my considered view that rather than digging up the past and raking up hurt sentiments, perceived or otherwise, the time is ripe to heal all wounds and assuage ruffled feelings and concertedly chalk out plans and strategies as a people to move into the future. I have always upheld the belief that though the past is important, it is not as important as the present and the future. I am also of the firm conviction that the very fundamental and essence of the philosophy behind the Naga political movement was, and continues to be to take our people forward, not backward. And how can all this petty mudslinging, banal bickering, casting insidious aspersions on each other, tarnishing the image and integrity of each other and hurting each other benefit anyone of us? Have we not learned enough from the past? Should we not adopt the Christian tenet to love each other and to forgive each other? Are we so hardened as to harbour ill-will against each other even though we know we should change our attitude and mindset? Should not we, especially the older generation, resolve to pass on a legacy of peace and harmony to our children instead of bestowing them the scourge of violence, lawlessness and hatred? Should not we as Christians, renounce violence in all forms as the Lord Christ taught us to? Are we not yet convinced with the futility and worthlessness of decades of violence and strife which has ravished and ravaged our pristine hills and homes? I genuinely believe that all political leaders as well as right thinking citizens of Nagaland should resolutely bury their hatchets, foster peace and harmony and create a conducive political and social environment wherein all sections of the Naga society can discuss, deliberate and evolve an honourable and acceptable solution to the vexed Naga political problem and chart out a progressive and prosperous course for the future. The pressing need of the hour is a mature, enlightened, visionary and committed leadership in Nagaland which has sufficient foresight and wisdom to guide the Naga people and the society to prosperity and modernity in sync with the global trends of the 21st century.
I take this opportunity to appeal to all sections of the Naga society, irrespective of their political inclinations, to come together and embark on a new mission with a clear vision to take our Naga people forward so that the present generation and all generations to come can hold up their heads high as proud citizens of the world.
(SC Jamir)
