KOHIMA, JUNE 30: A joint meeting between the mediators of the Chang-Yimchungru issue, the convener of Peace Committee of the ENPO and representatives of the Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) and the Yimchungru Tribal Council (YTC) was held on June 29.
The meeting was conducted in the conference hall of the commissioner of Nagaland. The meeting was in connection with peace initiatives toward ‘restoration of normalcy’ between the Chang and the Yimchungru communities.
A press statement issued by the mediators on Thursday stated that the house discussed 'with an open mind the vexing issues confronting the peace initiative' at length. The members present also acknowledged with a “note of optimism” the progress made during the last few months 'on the peace initiative where the approaches of both the CKS and YTC towards the issues were reconciliatory and accommodative, and much less retaliatory and confrontational.' The mediators termed it “dawn of hope” toward permanent peace.
Some of the important issues of public interest that were discussed during the meeting included 'issues on the most desired need for the restoration of lasting good neighborly relationship between the Changs and Yimchungrus; peace settlement; embarking on the principle of "forgive and forget" policy, recognizing the indispensability of the Changs and Yimchungrus to live as good brethren and neighbors.' The statement said that for the principle of ‘forgive and forget’ to work, one should be ‘prepared to give to be able to receive.’
In order to achieve the goal of lasting peace, one should have the courage in admitting one's mistakes and apologize for it, the statement stated. Further, according to the statement, the one grey area that the meeting faced was in relation to 'contradictory views' held by the two communities on the issue of boundary between Chendang and Yakor villages.
However, after a marathon debate on the issue, it was said to have been finally resolved now that the mediators would conduct a spot verification inviting the aggrieved villages namely Chendang, Yakor, Chendang Saddle and Panso, to present their respective views during a joint meeting. It was resolved with the full endorsement of both the CKS and the YTC that the mediators would, after hearing from the mentioned villages, forward their recommendations to the Nagaland government for approval.
Also, a joint meeting between Kuthur and Tuensang villages under the sponsorship of the mediators would be held, the statement said.
It was also reported to have been decided at the meeting that the CKS and YTC would move the SIT to complete investigations on the disappearance of one Hanjila and her daughter at the earliest and 'no retaliatory action with tribal colours will be resorted to as and when the investigation report is completed.' Moreover, a ‘peace feast’ on completion of the peace initiative would be arranged by the ENPO at an appropriate time.Meanwhile, pertaining to the case of late Chipong Yimchunger who was allegedly pulled out from the Civil Hospital of Tuesang and lynched by a mob 'incidentally took place under Chang jurisdiction and as such, the CKS has agreed to formally extend apology to the YTC on the principle of "forgive and forget".' The same yardstick will be applied in the case of late Thongsomong, late Chingmak, late Chungma, and late Chaang, it was stated.
“In all the above commission of offences, the deceased were murdered by unidentified miscreant but since death occurred in a particular jurisdiction, the tribe under whose jurisdiction such incidences took place will extend apology to the tribe of the victim on forgive and forget principle. This principle will equally apply to those communities whose properties were either destroyed or had undergone physical and mental suffering or had hurt through media,” the statement from the mediators added.
Besides the mediators and ENPO representative, six members each from the CKS and the YTC participated in the meeting. They were MP Nokshang, B Chekum Chang, K Yangbou Chang, W Bendang Chang, Mongko and N Toshi Chang from CKS, while YTC was represented by K Zungkhum, KK Keozü, Throngso, Y Sunnymongba, H Kukam and T Shelimthong.
The statement was issued jointly by the ENPO peace committee’s convener YP Chillio, convener of the mediators’ group Tali Longkumer, and members Sachopra and Beiu Angami; YTC vice president Throngso and CKS vice president Mongko.
