This is a rejoinder to the article titled, ‘’Retrospection on peace & reconciliation’’ written by a so called Mr. Thomas who calls himself a Member of NNC which was published on the 20th and 21st of July, 2014. Though quite a detailed narrative on the subject of ‘Naga peace and reconciliation’ there seems to be no head or tail. And in the first place a reply of this kind may be avoidable but certain issues need to be clarified owing to problems of truth and validity. One thing most readers may not be aware is the fact that Mr. Thomas’s real name is Mr. W. Shapwon from Heimi Naga tribe (under Myanmar), married to a Khiamniungan lady and was settled for a long time in the Khiamniungan region, presently serving as the Joint Secretary of NNC and settled in Thailand. He has been writing articles under the assumed name of Thomas.
It may be noted that prior to August 1994, Mr. W. Shapwon/Thomas was strongly opposed to and vocal about the Shillong Accord and the Transit Peace Camp. In August, 1994, on one of his hunting trips in Eastern Nagaland, he was attacked by a bear that left him badly injured, and he was brought by some good Khiamniungan people with great difficulty to Kohima for proper medical care. After his recovery, he joined the Transit Peace Camp which he was vehemently opposed to earlier. Though he has been living in Thailand for about 4(four) years, his wife and children continue to live in the Kohima Transit Peace Camp.
Firstly, on the issue of a Naga leader holding an Indian passport, though undesirable due to lack of option whenever the need arise many of the veteran National workers have gone abroad with the Visa and Passport of the occupational forces. Some of our National leaders continue to live abroad, and on that basis where do they get their passport? In this case, the issue of Madam Adinno’s passport is also called into question or for that matter, Mr. W. Shapwon/ Thomas himself, who is settled in Thailand, as to what passport he is having?
Secondly, only a person with a dictatorial mind-set would come up with such a preposterous idea as was presented in his write up and say his ‘suggestion’ was not taken into consideration by the FNR. Mr. W. Shapwon/ Thomas should be aware that a confused person like him with a dual personality cannot dictate the FNR. Individuals with his kind of mentality, only tends to confuse and further divide the people while the need of the hour is to do away with the dissensions amongst ourselves. Mr. Thomas/W. Shapwon’s assertion that the NNC/FGN did not attend the meeting in Atlanta in 1997 as ‘FGN leaders did not want to travel on Indian passport’ is not true, the Kedahge of FGN, Brig.(Retd) S. Singnya authorized two NNC/FGN representatives to attend the Atlanta Peace and Unity meet in 1997.
Thirdly, what moral right has Mr. Thomas to term the NNC/FGN led by Brig. (Retd) S. Singnya as illegitimate? Is it because it denounces the Shillong Accord and the Transit Peace Camp? To put the record straight, the FNR is in no way, ‘manipulating’ and ‘nurturing’ the NNC/FGN. On the contrary, the NNC/FGN is giving its full support to the effort of the FNR, appreciating the great sacrifice of all the members of the FNR in trying to unite the Naga people.
Does Mr. W. Shapwon/Thomas need to be reminded of the mistakes he had committed and how his life was saved by the intervention of Brig. (Retd) S. Singnya? Does Mr. W. Shapwon/Thomas have to be reminded of the kindness shown to him by the Khiamniungan people in his time of trouble? He is like a snake, a thankless person criticizing the people who helped and saved him. Is a person like him with dual-personality fit to be called a leader?
Mr. W. Shapwon/Thomas should stop contradicting himself. Firstly, on the one hand, he calls the NSCN leaders as renegade leaders and on the other hand suggests the FNR to “Invite the leaders from the Khaplang group, Muivah-Isak faction... I will attend the meeting on behalf of Eastern Nagas but not representing the NNC, ...”. Secondly, to quote him again, “But our suggestion was to hold a meeting in our homeland, instead of going to abroad on Indian passports which we don’t want to do as we are Naga National leaders and not Indians.” And today he is settled in a foreign country still calling himself a Naga leader. Thirdly, if Mr. W. Shapwon/Thomas considers himself as a real leader he should have the guts to write using his real name and designation instead of writing under an assumed name.
Thungem Khiamniungan
Secretary to Kedahge,
Federal Government of Nagaland
