Factions resolve to ceasefire for six months
Karaibo Chawang
Kohima | December 7
In a major and politically significant development, the three warring factions—NSCN (IM), NSCN (K), NNC and the newly formed Unification Core Committee—today formally agreed to “extend inter-factional ceasefire for a further period of six months as proposed by the Joint Forum of Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association”.
The ceasefire agreement was made during a historic and commendable peace meeting, convened by the GBs Joint Forum today at the Red Cross Conference Hall, which was well represented by all the groups. Besides, resolving to ceasefire for six months, the factions also agreed to appreciate the initiative taken by the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs for stopping the senseless killing amongst the Nagas and to render support for further effort to bring real reconciliation to create peaceful atmosphere. It was also unanimously resolved to accept and pursue peace and unity move amongst all the different groups of the Nagas without any discrimination with regard to tribes or places and to organize the next meeting at the earliest to thrash out the differences on unity initiatives.
The peace resolution was jointly signed by NSCN (IM) Kilonser, Yanger Pongen, NNC General Secretary, Vizosielhou Nagi, NSCN (K) Kilonser, RM Lotha and newly formed Unification Core Committee member ‘Maj’ Chuba Ao. Besides Kilonser Yanger, the NSCN (IM) side was represented by its Steering Committee members, Venuzo Zholia, DT Lincoln, Lima Ao, Deputy Kilonser, Dr P Mor and CFMG member Zeneituo. The NNC besides its General Secretary, V. Nagi, included other members, Zasilhoubi, Zieseu and Youth Wing General Secretary, N Yanremo. The newly formed Unification Core Committee and NSCN (K) was represented by Shikato Chishi, ‘Maj’ Chuba and RM Lotha. The resolution was signed with Rtd. Addl. Chief Secretary and Commissioner, TN Mannen as the witness. Convenor of the Joint Forum A. Taku Longkumer chaired the function while Lungrahei Herie was the session secretary. President Nagaland DB Association T Siyang Chang tendered the vote of thanks.
Five representatives each of GBs and DBs from all the districts of Nagaland state attended the meeting. Mannen, who spearheaded the meeting after signing of the peace treaty, termed it as a ‘historic’ one. He said that this was the first time the Joint Forum of GBs Federation and DBs Association managed to bring all the factions to one platform for a talk since they started the initiative to stop bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst the warring factions of the Naga National workers groups. Mannen also added that the Joint Forum had taken time to bring all factions together, as the factional feud was a teething problem.
After the meeting there was an apparent bonhomie and camaraderie amongst the representatives of the different groups as they shook hands and filled the conference hall with laughter. They also shared lunch together provided by the GBs and DBs.
It may be mentioned here that the Joint Forum of the Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association convened a meeting on June 6 last this year at the State Academy Hall and adopted a five points resolutions, which aimed at bringing cessation of factional fights amongst the warring groups.
Among the other important resolutions, was the call for ceasefire for periods of six months amongst all groups with immediate effect and if any factions refuse to abide with the appeal it resolved not to co-operate with that particular group. It was learnt that all groups accepted the resolutions in written, however, the factional clashes continued unabated despite of this resolutions and several cadres of both the factions had been killed.
However, today’s deliberation among the factions was seen as extremely positive and there is now hope generated that this latest development will help usher in a new era of peace and unity, after nearly two decades of fratricidal killings.
