The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has stressed on the need for Nagas to positively respond to the recent move of the Naga political groups (NPGs) to work together for the common cause.
In a commentary on the joint statement -- Nagas are Moving Ahead – made by the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) on January 14, the FNR expressed optimism on the outcome of the Naga movement.
“With the passage of time, the Nagas are converging to a constructive and realistic action for a shared future. Thanks to the natural law of nature for the gift of Naga convergence. In human history, small happenings have often been the foundation for transformational changes,” stated FNR, which initiated the meeting of the two NSCN groups last September amid stalemate in the Naga peace process.
It said the WC-NNPG and NSCN (IM) had validated its October 18 agreement by subsequently declaring their “unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreements, with immediate effect, for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India”.
It added the two groups had also appealed to the Naga people to “stand with us to prevent any further division of our shared belonging”.
“Today, the Naga movement is not only alert but it has grown much more mature. Again, thanks to priceless lessons we are learning from within and without. We have been taught that ‘managing’ any group of living organism by anyone is to invite defeat of oneself,” stated the FNR.
“In the movement of history there comes the power of context: this is the moment for the Nagas. From the birth of Naga nationhood, the leaders of the Naga national movement rendered their all to keep the Naga story alive and consolidate its forward-looking journey.
“Today, in a different chapter of a continuing story, the Naga political groups (NPGs) by resolving to be in relationship and cooperation have presented a way of moving forward. This is another historical opportunity for the Nagas to reciprocate with a definite affirmation for moving forward,” it added.
It went on to say that the Nagaland Baptist Church Council had, in its 10-point commitment made on the occasion of 150 years of Christianity among the Nagas, prophetically resolved: “To work for greater unity and better understanding among the various groups of people through cessation of selfish pursuit and conflicts that divide and damage the historical harmony of the Nagas. To this end, we affirm our shared oneness and resolve to stand in the gap in our collective search for political solution that is non-violent and honorable.”
The FNR also stated that it is “committed to collaborating on strategic plan with the NPGs and Naga Civil Society as a dynamic process for moving forward”.
It may be recalled that the leaders of WC-NNPG and NSCN (IM) met on September 14 last year and signed a “Joint Accordant” under the initiative of the FNR, resolving to work together and find ways to transcend their differences.
It was followed by a two-day meeting in October between the delegations of the two groups in Kolkata, where they decided to form a Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation led by the convener of WC-NNPG and the chairman of NSCN (IM), "to explore, at the earliest, realistic ways for Nagas to move forward on the basis of Naga historical and political rights".