DIMAPUR — With the NSCN (IM) summoning back the old spectre of bloodshed and violence after nearly 3 decades of Indo-Naga ceasefire, calls for restraint and wisdom have emerged from two key voices in the Naga political landscape: the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO).
Both the organisations issued separate press statements on Wednesday—without naming or mentioning any group in particular, but the timing and the context of their messages were revelatory in themselves.
In a brief reminder, the FNR pointed out that since the signing of the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ (CoR) on June 13, 2009, Naga people have been experiencing the cessation of violent confrontation, which was a daily occurrence in the 1990s and the 2000s.
“It is therefore imperative that all NPGs and the public know that the CoR is binding and no one shall break this Sacred Covenant signed before God and the people. Warrior instincts of the war cry by different individuals and cultural (“tribe”) groups are only a needed information passing on to interested parties.
“Our war cry does not help the Naga spirit; it only weakens. Today, we must think and act differently without giving in,” the statement read.
The forum further reminded that this “is not the time to take a backward looking view of history, no matter how tall and dignified it may be.”.
“To be sure, without abandoning history, the Nagas must move on. Let us not despair at the present snags and unlighted highway. Urgently, this is the time to cooperate, organise, mobilise and stay engaged with all stakeholders for ‘an honourable’ imaginative Naga political solution,” it asserted.
Unite for Naga solution
Though limited only to the confines of the eastern districts of Nagaland, the ENPO also issued a statement making clear its commitment to peace.
In a press release on Wednesday, the ENPO stated that it held a joint consultative and coordination meeting with the Eastern Naga National Worker’s Forum which resulted in a renewed commitment to maintaining peace within the eastern region.
The ENPO media cell stated that the house reaffirmed the Tuensang Summit Resolution of December 18, 2007, declaring the entire eastern jurisdiction a peace zone.
This tenth reaffirmation, based on a resolution passed during the ENPO Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting on November 12, categorically stated that “there should be no bloodshed, threat, intimation or any form of violence within eastern jurisdiction.”
The ENPO also resolved to withhold public cooperation from any group violating this resolution. “This re-affirmation also resolves to cover all its citizens beyond its jurisdiction and further appeals to all the Naga political groups to strictly adhere and comply with this historic resolution and re-affirmation,” it stated.
The press release further stated that the CEC meeting also resulted in other resolutions, including an appeal to all NPGs to honour ceasefire ground rules within the eastern jurisdiction and pursue their cause through peace talks and negotiation.
The ENPO expressed its willingness to mediate between NPGs and the government of India should any group request assistance in peace negotiations. “The ENPO shall continue to strive in mainstreaming all NPGs to a negotiating table towards early Naga political solution,” it said.
It further reiterated its call for unity among all NPGs, urging them to “unite under one unified umbrella” for an amicable Naga solution that is honourable, inclusive and acceptable.
“The house also discourages mushrooming of numerous breakaway factions within Naga political groups,” it added.
On November 7, the General Secretary of NSCN and the Ato Kilonser of GPRN, Th Muivah, alleged that the Centre had betrayed the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement and sought a third-party intervention to resolve the deadlock—warning that rejection of this overture would lead to resumption of “the violent armed resistance against India.”
In a statement, Muivah said that the Centre’s alleged betrayal was in the form of its refusal to recognise and acknowledge the ‘Nagalim sovereign national flag’ and the ‘Nagalim sovereign national constitution.’