The Naga Rising (TNR) members along with peace activist Niketu Iralu (seated), Chairman of Sechu Zubza Village Council Mhasikhoto Zhünyü and Youth President Seyiekhrielie Vimerah during the launch of the TNR’s ‘Vision Statement’ on September 13.
Morung Express News
Sechü-Zubza | September 13
The Naga Rising (TNR) on September 13 launched its 'Vision Statement' at 'Kerünyüki', Sechü-Zubza.
Naga Peace activist Niketu Iralu released the 'Vision Statement' in presence of TNR members, village elders and media persons.
During the occasion, the TNR also adopted the 'Sechü-Zubza Charter of Responsibility' in presence of the Chairman, Sechü-Zubza Village Council, Mhasikhoto Zhünyü and Seyiekhrielie Vimerah, President of Sechü-Zubza Village Youth Organization.
Convenor, TNR, Along Longkumer, in his introductory note said the inspiration for the vision statement is rooted in the Naga people’s story of faith, freedom and fraternity. The TNR Convenor said the seed of the 'Vision' that they were launching had been sown on the ground since a long time ago through initiatives of Naga elders.
“On our part The Naga Rising wants to renew this vision, give it a fresh narrative and direction that is tune with the present context and times. A new thinking is required. And one of the things we are trying to say is that the modern day challenges confronting the Naga people can only be solved through a broad-based, inclusive framework and through peace means,” Longkumer said.
He said Naga people, especially the present generation, are emerging from the complex and difficult experiences with the Naga political movement, Nagaland statehood, ceasefires, peace processes and other intricacies related to tribal ethos, geography, and contemporary realities.
“How do we as a people move forward from here? We seek to find answers to some of these complex questions that our generation has come to inherit from the past and immediate present,” he said.
According to the statement, the TNR is an ideological body that would work to fulfill its broad vision as spelled out in its motto, i.e. 'Guard, Guide and Govern.’
The ‘Vision Statement’ asserts the TNR’s commitment to facilitate an entire spectrum of activities in the political, socio-cultural, and economic life of the Nagas.
On the position on Nagaland statehood and Naga political issue, the TNR declared that that creation of the state of Nagaland could not solve the Naga problem and therefore statehood is not the final solution. It supported a negotiated political settlement to be agreed upon and reached between India and the Nagas.
Stating that current politics is not designed to solve problems, the TNR seeks to reform politics and evolve a model of governance and leadership with transparency, accountability and responsiveness.
It affirmed to guard against large scale unabated illegal immigration, dangers posed by all extremist and radical ideologies, and “indiscriminate attempt to undermine the Indo-Naga peace process and undercut the ‘historical and political rights’ of the Naga people.”
‘A place of promise’
Delivering the keynote address at the launch event of TNR 'Vision Statement', noted Naga Peace activist, Niketu Iralu said TNR members have understood the Naga struggle - what Nagas have achieved and what has gone wrong.
“I can sense your understanding of our yesterday and what we have produced today. Your anticipation of what has to be done if the future is to be better and the mental, moral and spiritual commitment to values,” he said.
Iralu said TNR's Vision Statement conveys a cross-over from a state of paralyzes to a place of promise, an understanding of what has to be discarded and challenges in “our thinking, attitudes and our lives, if the future will be better, different and not destroy us.”
The peace activist reminded that it is important to understand the nature and size of the Naga crisis - of great dangers and equally great opportunities.
“No one can deny Nagas have become a people and a nation. We have not yet achieved what we consider our ultimate goal and desiring a sovereign nation, a member of the UNO,” he added.
Iralu said if Naga people do not preserve their unity, then the Naga crisis can go out of control and destabilize the whole NE as well.
“These possibilities will be natural consequences of wrongs and wounds not healed,” the peace activist cautioned.
Iralu further underscored on public organizations and platforms that enable people to breathe and that politicians (over ground or underground) must not manipulate public platforms either through inducement or threat.
He also stressed on doing what is right God's way and not one's way, keeping the process clean, understanding aspirations of neighbours.
