It is indeed a privilege for me to welcome you all on behalf of the Nagaland Peace Centre, Kohima to this historic occasion of 52nd Ceasefire Anniversary which is known as PEACE DAY. This morning we gathered here to remember this historic moment which has brought peace in our land in 1964. We remember this day to honour Peace Day. On this occasion, we are here to offer thanksgiving to God for His goodness and mercy shown upon Nagas and Indians. We deeply appreciate that it was the political magnanimity and the intention of the leaders like late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and other great hon’ble leaders of India to effect change from military measures against Nagas and opt for political engagement in their attempt to find out political and peaceful solution to the Naga problem. In the process of peace talks, it recognized the uniqueness of Naga history which itself exhibit the desire for peaceful settlement and Naga identity which was found and maintained and protected in 16 point Agreement of 371(A) of the Constitution of India. At home, it is worthy to mention here that we Naga people should remember with gratitude the leaders of Nagaland Baptist Church like Rev. Longri Ao, Late Kenneth Kerhuo and many others who initiated peace efforts in Nagaland Baptist Convention which was held in Wokha from 31st January to 2nd February 1964. The Convention welcomed the peace talk between the Government of India and the N.N.C. President Late Dr. A.Z. Phizo. They formed the Peace Mission with its famous members like late Jayaprakash Narayan, the founder of the Nagaland Peace Centre, late Rev. Micheal Scott., late P.B. Chaliha. After 10 years of violence and bloodshed from 1954 to 1964, ceasefire came into being on 6th September 1964. In the recent years we have seen a considerable progress towards realizing the ideals of peace with the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM) on 1st August 1997 and with NSCN (K) on 2nd April 2001. But the talk was slowed down and much delayed because Mr. R.S. Pandey who was Interlocutor for Naga talks had resigned.
But now it is encouraging and positive sign to see that Prime Minister’s Office has appointed one J.I.C. Chief R.N. Ravi as Interlocutor for Naga peace talks and as a result of which ‘frame work agreement’ is signed which is now in force. Indian leaders in their natural wisdom understand that Naga issue is political problem. They have viable option to effect change from military measure to political engagement. So they signed ceasefire agreement with different political groups for political talk except with NSCN (K) on their own volition who decided to abrogate the ceasefire agreement with the Government of India and take up arms against the security forces in Nagaland. Naga people strongly urged them to see the positive and possible way and turn back to political talk to fulfil their aspirations. We are hopeful and confident that the present central leadership in power will do everything to open creative and inclusive policy to deal with the decade old Naga problem which has been affecting Naga populace living in the Naga areas.
Naga Undergrounds no doubt fight for a just cause to maintain the identity of Nagas as a people and as a Nation. But they are badly divided and the purpose of unity is weakened. It is now high time to understand the value of opportunity and strive for unity and reconciliation.
Respected and peace loving members, let us use our influence by meeting and telling our national workers who are engaged in ceasefire agreement for Naga peace talks for political solution to respect each other as Naga brothers and Naga sisters and value human dignity so that they can prevent much further brothers killing brothers; because the fratricide killing is against the spirit of nationalism. It is self annihilation. It is just because of our stupidity only. The Bible has a clear warning to all Nagas which is found in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 11 verse 17; because many precious lives were lost during the last factional conflicts. This is abhorrent idea and must be stopped immediately. Now it is for all Nagas to see that Naga national leaders who have been in foreign countries for their political journey have now come back and stays in their homeland except S.S. Khaplang who is a Hemi Tribe Naga in Myanmar.
We all read in the newspapers, the political message to their workers during the celebration of Naga Independence Day on 14th August. They focus on one issue- Naga self determination, Naga sovereignty. So there is no gain to say that there are conflicting factional group for self determination. The larger issue that remains is the people’s issue for self determination, based on the uniqueness of our history in terms of our culture, social and life style in comparison with the other social and cultural fabric in India. This has to be resolved through political negotiated solution.
The idea of peace of late Jayaprakash Narayan, the founder of Nagaland Peace Centre is through dialogue and non-violence. The Nagaland Peace Centre follow the path and vision of late Jayaprakash Narayan in Nagaland and in India as part of Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi; also part of World Peace Conference under the leadership of one Indian named Romesh Chandra whose vision is “Peace and Life” and “War for death”.
My best wishes on this occasion and for a rewarding and enjoyable day to you all.
