EMN
Dimapur, Augsut 26
Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today called for resolving Naga political problem by way of legal-rational means and not through violence of any kind.
For this, the Forum urged all political groups to remain vigilant against all forms of violence whether of printed words, statements, or divisive methods. It also called upon the citizens to be alert and act positively, and the churches to continue their prayer vigils. Such an approach must exclude intolerance, endangering human rights, and similar non-legal mechanisms, the Forum said.
“The question we ought to be asking ourselves is not how to solve the Naga political problem, but how to go about resolving it. This is not a play of words. Today, we have the fortune of moving forward but only if we are realistic, by establishing and guaranteeing our rights.” The FNR in a statement recalled, “On June 13, 2009, the “Covenant of Reconciliation” (CoR) was signed by the highest level leaders of the Naga Political groups. This solemn pledge made before God and the Naga people, in particular, and the people in general, has reduced much of the violence that was prevalent amongst us. By the same token, the CoR is a sacred trust that cannot be taken lightly.”
On reconciliation, the Forum said, it means the birthing of a new community with God and one another. “Whoever believes in reconciliation begins to be concerned for the divided Nagas. To demonstrate and to practice our freedom through reconciliation in such a time means to preserve the long breath of hope between “we” and “they,” “pre suppositions” and “facts,” “personal interest” and “collective well-being,” “superiority” and “servant leadership” and between “rigid dogmatism” and “realism.” Nagas must consciously accept where we are today and this requires honesty on the part of everyone. We can be made free through reconciliation. This is FNR’s hope for a divided house. We believe, in the new Nagahood which is liberated through reconciliation.”
“Reconciliation means for us, the fact that guilt is forgiven. In our case,the guilt is numerous. Most of us do not want to recognize and confess our own guilt rather it is mostly pushed aside. But guilt which is pushed aside, works further and poisons our life with the end result of hate for “others” and anxiety for ourselves. We often forget as Christians that Christ did not penalize the guilty rather forgave them! Guilt therefore, must no longer be pushed aside rather be accepted as forgiven.“ The statement said, “Reconciliation is not a religious cult for the pious. Reconciliation, socially and politically, is the embrace of the “other,” and the “enemy,” for the love of God in our present context. Peace and reconciliation does not belong only in the inner being of our personal piety of the heart. Naga Christianity cannot lock up reconciliation in the corner of their hearts. We must put into practice reconciliation in the midst of the actual divisionfound in our society today.”
“Finally, if we were all alike –of the same group, tribe, with the same views and ideology, reconciliation would not be needed, but the “acceptance of others” in their different-ness is reconciliation. This acceptance joins the “unlike,”and the“different.” Nagas, let us be clear that reconciliation does not mean that Jews will have to become Greeks, nor the Aos become Sumis, and so on. The walls and fences we have erected, in order to maintain our own dignity must be overturned now! Practically, as concerned leaders and informed citizens, we must be able to live withour differences because of reconciliation. We hope creative minds with imagination will speak to this point without further delay.”
