Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• First this will eliminate arrogance and high egos ingrained amongst all national workers regardless of factions, young and old. I appreciate Wangtin Konyak Naga for saying sorry to Isak-Muivah group. He did and said what he said in the past with his right conscious. Owing to lack of right communication and reasoning, and because of the situation and environment we are what we are. Thus, we misunderstand each other. Again this misunderstanding can be removed if we shed our egos from all sides among us. Shall we start a new chapter in Naga national movement with brotherly love???
• Definitely. Pride prevents the Nagas from apologizing to one another and the lifestyle of the people is not at all biblical. If only all the people stick to the teaching of the bible, Nagaland would become a beautiful place.
• The Nagas community as a whole should work out together under the sun and find way to a better place for all of us.
• Yes that is true cause there is no unity among the Nagas and therefore no growth can be seen among the Nagas.
• Yes, both sides have to be willing to admit their part in the conflict. It is very important to take that first step towards reconciliation and for the other party to forgive unconditionally. Neither of the gestures will be easy but this is the only way to overcome the vicious cycle of vengeance which will repeat itself over and over again. “You did this to us, so we will do this to you”. We can change that to “You owned up and asked for forgiveness, we can do that too”. The Lord’s prayer says “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”….Could it be any clearer than that? And would you go against God’s specific precept?
• Yes it will help towards Naga unity. Nagas always want quick results, so we need to understand this carefully. Sorry and Forgiveness does not mean that everything will be okay just like that, NO, it would be wrong to think like that. Nagas must know it is only the starting point. It helps us do always with the suspicion and helps us address the difficult issues that were dividing the Nagas in a better way, so that a positive outcome can be reached.
• Without saying sorry and forgiving others we cannot move forward or make any real progress, the past bitterness will catch up and spoil it all again.
• Humble submission is what one expect from each other. Nagas are united from before, today, and still will be. It is only the factions that are not united. So, a Unity move in the name Nagas Unity is a mockery. It should be rather initiated as Factions Unity Move.
• Yes forgiveness can surely build unity...but it seems that we nagas had long forgotten the word forgiveness we still can do it...only if you and I.. relearn to forgive! kuknalim..
• Of course yes if we can be ourselves and not try to be someone but know our God's purpose in our lives. In simple words, keeping God 1st.Which is really hard for every being. But we should learn to be sorry when we are wrong and not try to hide or cover up the mistake we commit.
• Cause without forgiveness there is no bright future for the Nagas. Only the arrogant, ignorant, weak, and foolish people will not choose to say sorry and seek reconciliation.
• Yes, it will to an extent and only provided that it is the beginning of a process to address the injustices, and not simply an end.
• Yes, because as long as you carry hurts the wounds would continue to grow worse.
• Sorry will heal the wounded and forgiveness will bridge the chasm among disunited Nagas.
• I agree with the saying sorry and granting forgiveness will help Nagas to build unity because it will yield fruit if the branches and vine are attached. The branch cannot yield the fruit by itself nor do the vine. So, Nagas should forgive and forget to bring unity.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No, not by a long shot. It will take much more than that. In this case, its about the control over the flow of money
• No, not by saying, but by doing what they say. Unity comes when one puts his/her nation and people above ones self/clan/tribe.
• No, only saying sorry is not enough. Maybe it can bring down the walls between us but it certainly cannot build the bridges for us. Say sorry, mean it and work for it but most of all remember, do to others what you want them to do unto you, so if you want to be forgiven, forgive…
• The root of the conflict must be realised and promised not to repeat otherwise just sleeping over it and switching to next level (reconciliation) does not help.
• We may forgive but we will never forget. We Nagas are a complex lot. We proclaim to be Christians but our behaviours do not show it. So long as tribalism, factionalism and political differences exists in our society, forgiveness will mean nothing. It will be just a face washing exercise. Forgiveness should be from the heart.
Some of those who voted Maybe had this to say:
• Sorry is not the end, but its only the beginning of a process in which people indicate their willingness to reconcile with each other, so in the Naga case, saying sorry is very important and symbolic.
• Say is just a symbolic gesture. Beneath the action there are lot of constant hard work and if we can not live up to it. This sorry thing freezes just a easily creating more suspicious and distorted words
