Dimapur, August 1 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN and the NNC/FGN has stated that the unconditional reconciliation and unity agreed on 15th July 2010 at Monyakshu should not be construed as having taken away “every single grain from the barn of Naga Reconciliation and Unity, leaving nothing for others to pick”.
A press note issued by the MIP, GPRN & Rali Wali, FGN has made it known that the two political groups, on the very day of their coming together, had issued a pledge and a joint declaration before God and the Nagas, which came out in all the local dailies on 16th July 2010. “Every word in the pledge and the joint declaration was conceived under the Covenant of Reconciliation signed by top leaders of three Naga political groups, under the umbrella of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR)”, it stated.
It was pointed out that the merger was necessitated as it was the only way forward to show that world that Nagas, despite their differences, could accept each other on equal terms to reach their common goal in oneness and unity. Stating that a time has come for every Naga political group to extend a hand to the other however “none should try to cut off the offered hand”, it pointed out while adding that every concerned Naga has come to understand the reality of the situation. “A journey of Common Hope must be followed in letter and spirit”, it stated.
“Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem is aware that the last thirteen years of negotiation with the GOI has gone down the drain. A child born that year is now a teenager asking many questions about how his father and other relatives were killed”, the press note stated. “As a former Army Chief having ordered many drastic actions, reconciliation and merger of GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN or any other group could have been taken in a dignified manner”. Pointing out that Atem’s apology to the Nagas earlier at Chiangmai, for any wrongdoing during his stay at the military was highly appreciated by the Nagas, the press note stated that this was the epitome of the spirit of reconciliation. “Monyakshu Conclave of 15th July 2010 was the ripening of the first fruit in a tree nurtured by Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem or any other Naga could share in it”, it stated.
While stating that it respected the opinion of Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem, the GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN reminded that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in their Statement of Renewal point no. 7 clause V, issued on 24th June 2010, appealed to all political groups to maintain status quo and urged Mr. Th. Muivah to review and keep in abeyance the remaining part of his ‘Goodwill Mission’ to enable the FNR to initiate a reconciliation meeting at various levels of the political leadership. “This appeal was carried by the media but unfortunately Mr. Th. Muivah continued on his journey in Nagaland ignoring the good advice of the FNR. Will the Nagas describe his present stay in New Delhi as strengthening Naga Reconciliation process?” the joint press note queried.
The GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN stated that it was left to the good judgment of the Nagas as to whether two political groups coming together and urging others to make peace and unity within the family would be called backstabbing. “Indeed, every foreigner who sets foot in Nagaland goes back with fond memories of Nagas having unique history and situation. Let it also be known to all who dwell on ‘Reconciliation based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas’ that from the day of the submission of the Naga Memorandum to the British Statutory Commission on 10th January 1929, the Naga struggle is based on historical and political rights. The GPRN and FGN reconciled and merged on the same principle on 15th July 2010, and to propose the same spirit to other political groups to chart a common destiny. The historical and political rights of the Nagas did not spring up in 1980 or 1988”.
The two political groups also stated that every Naga would understand that the amnesty declarations and proclamations by Chairman Isak Chishi in 1997, 2007, 2008 were given out to political groups but it never worked because it “clearly set conditions underneath”. “In a history of a people where thousands have perished in internal strife and division, none can issue amnesty or pardon because all are equally responsible for the past mistakes and none can claim righteousness before the Creator and the Nagas”, it further stated.
Stating that the Covenant of Reconciliation was jointly signed by Chairman SS Khaplang, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and President Brig. (Retd) S Singnya, the press note acknowledged that Naga history was “richer for their commitment towards common endeavor and therefore it shall be held on steadfastly with greatest respect and commitment”. “If the Covenant of Reconciliation is to be abrogated, the three top leaders alone would do so”, it stated.
As such in the interest of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity of the Nagas, the press note appealed to all subordinates of the three signatories in different groups to abide by FNR’s commitment and prayer. It affirmed that the Joint Committee of GPRN and FGN shall stay committed, in letter and spirit, to the covenant of Reconciliation until Nagas can truly say, “Yes, We are Reconciled”.
