Forum for Naga Reconciliation pleads for ‘one decisive push’

Says failure to implement ‘Naga Concordant’ and ‘Lenten Agreement’ has brought reconciliation to premature halt
Dimapur, Sep. 24 (EMN): The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has made an impassioned appeal to the Naga people – young and old, men and women, rich and poor to give Naga reconciliation one decisive push ‘no matter how tedious and exhausting the process may seem to be.’
The FNR issued a lengthy public statement on Sunday containing an apology to the Naga people as well as a plea not to give in to divisive politics. “The FNR refuses to give in to the principalities of division, distrust, suspicion and fear which are paralysing Naga people in all walks of their lives. FNR believes that with people’s active support and prudent intervention this spiralling situation can be arrested and reversed.”
It reminded that the FNR was formed at a time when Naga society was torn apart with intense ‘interfactional’ violence, suspicion, distrust and divisive political rhetoric. “After a painstaking and difficult process the FNR’s Journey of Common Hope with the support and goodwill of the people made decisive and incisive strides towards Naga Reconciliation.
“Eventually, the ‘interfactional’ violence decreased, and some form of relative peace established. Due gratitude goes to the Naga national groups for upholding their commitment to refrain from all forms of violence against each other. However, outstanding political differences remain to be resolved.
“Hence, despite the positive path to end blood-shed, the Nagas are still confronted with a polarizing situation of power politics, self-preservation and exclusiveness. These threaten to demoralize the Naga spirit and obstruct Naga reconciliation,” it stated.
It was only after FNR held a series of meetings with the Naga national groups that confidence building measures could be taken to address ‘interfactional’ violence which in turn had resulted in drastically reducing the levels of violence and killing and this spirit of goodwill continues to prevail even now, the FNR stated.
“The Journey of Common Hope revealed the human side of the Naga national groups and offered an opportunity to forgive each other and to experience civil and family life. Simultaneously intimidation decreased and the fear and suspicion among people reduced. This enhanced the freedom of movement and the freedom of speech and expression and contributed towards improving relationships between the Naga national groups and the public.
“Overall, the Naga reconciliation process created a healthy environment. However, during this period of goodwill, it also enabled various stakeholders to take advantage of the situation. They have exploited the ‘vacuum’ that was created when ‘interfactional’ violence declined.”
After listing the ‘interfactional’ agreements it has achieved thus far, the FNR pointed out that while those relating to “ceasing all offensive activities in toto” continue to be implemented in spirit, the agreements relating to political matters such as the “Naga Concordant” and the “Lenten Agreement” have not been implemented.
“The inability to uphold and implement these two significant agreements which were crucial to the realization of Naga reconciliation brought the Reconciliation Journey of Common Hope to a sudden and premature halt.
“By large the present crisis is a result of the non-implementation of the ‘Naga Concordant’ and the ‘Lenten Agreement.’ Since 2014 the lull in the process has created further division in Naga society. The degree of trust and accountability which was cultivated during the Reconciliation process broke down. This led to trust deficit and the different Naga national groups continued to pursue their own political agenda. Since then, the Naga national movement seems to be spiralling downwards and has become damaging to Naga society.”
It shared that ‘while still hoping for the Naga national groups to respond and implement the agreements they entered into, our silence has been misunderstood.’
“In due course FNR was caught up in a complex situation as its role became less compelling and unclear in the midst of groups engaged in power politics. FNR takes this opportunity to publicly apologize and say Sorry to the Naga people and in particular to the Naga national groups for all these failures and short comings.”
‘Recognizing and acknowledging its contributions and weaknesses’, the FNR has undergone an intensive process of constructive criticism and evaluation in 2017, it infirmed. “Looking at the present situation, the FNR is of the view that reconciliation is fundamental at this juncture. The Naga reconciliation should not be confined to the Naga national groups, it needs to be broadened.
“FNR believes that Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope can be given a new lease of life when the Naga churches, tribes, civil society organizations and the public recognize the necessity for reconciliation among themselves. The healing, forgiveness and reconciliation within Naga civil society is equally important.
“In fact, reconciliation of the Naga people has become essential for bringing unity among the Naga national groups. Only when Nagas reconcile as a people can we become a moral and political force that will restore health and authority of the Naga national groups to evolve together and take the Nagas forward.”
It asserted that no group’s interest or personal interest should be over and above the common interest and shared destiny of the Nagas. “The FNR therefore appeals to the leaders of the Naga national groups to demonstrate political wisdom and statesmanship by turning to the path of Naga reconciliation in order to safeguard the Naga historical and political rights.”
It was time, according to the FNR, for Nagas of all ages and gender to take the responsibility of working for a peaceful and a just Naga society. “For this, it is imperative that we courageously strengthen the path for Naga reconciliation.”
Click here for full text