The pursuit of peace

Readers weigh in on Naga unity and reconciliation 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 24

Unity and reconciliation are viewed as crucial factors for peace. However, the thinking of “my community first,” being a detrimental factor, many question whether Nagas can come together to work towards a common end. 

Readers of The Morung Express this week mostly agreed that Naga unity and reconciliation is a must for peace while responding to its weekly poll. 

Nonetheless, many were doubtful whether this can be achieved given the existing situation.  

With almost 66 percent of the respondents voting yes, the general consensus was that all Naga political groups, frontal organisations and NGOs, should be united not only politically but also “in true spirit.”

“Nagas as a whole must shed this ideology of, ‘my community first’ and start coming together to work for unity and peace. Irrespective of tribe or area development of Nagaland as a whole must be the priority of all,” one of the respondents commented.

Another respondent stated that, “all the NPGs want solution but are not willing to unite and reconcile. This means they don’t really want solution. For solution, Nagas must unite and reconcile.”

Comparing the Naga society to the human body, a respondent commented that just as the body needs to maintain a balanced diet to stay fit and healthy, unity, love, and care are essential to bring changes in the state. “If we are strongly bonded then peace will automatically take its place,” the respondent added.

Some respondents also viewed that disunity among the Nagas would prove beneficial to ‘anti-Naga forces’ while some opined that the peace process has divided Nagas into two camps—the Nagas of Nagaland and the Nagas in general.

“The Government of India has taken advantage of this division and now it has become very difficult for unity. Advantage goes to government,” the respondent added.

Meanwhile, another respondent opined that “non-unity among Nagas, is the only thing that is hampering the future of Nagas,” while adding that emergence of several factions and ‘self-styled leaders’ has caused people to lose respect in the Naga cause. “Unless all tribes come together as a united Naga tribe and people, we will be torn apart by any means,” the respondent added. 

While a few respondents also took the stance that unity is only “the beginning of the pursuit of peace,” some questioned if ‘peace’ was “the current state we are living in or a better version than right now.” 

“Have we ever achieved Naga unity in the past?” the respondent posed, adding that the poll question was “too vague” for a yes or no answer.