The unthinkable has occurred and what was once a distant dream has now come to pass. The Highest Level Reconciliation Summit has renewed Naga hope and has given the Nagas an opportunity to break away from the past and to nurture a new imagination. The Naga Reconciliation Summit involving Brig (Retd) S. Singnya, Kedaghe of NNC/FGN, N. Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser of GPRN/NSCN and Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser of NSCN/GPRN on September 18 can rightly be stated as a historic landmark in Naga history, because such a meeting is unprecedented and is indispensable to the full realization of genuine Naga Reconciliation. The fulfillment of the Reconciliation Summit is a clear manifestation of their personal commitment and sincerity to Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope.
Having reconciled on the basis of the historical and political rights of the Nagas, and having committed to resolve all differences as outlined in the Covenant of Reconciliation, it is now imperative that the Naga people see that the three Naga leaders remain true to their resolve to abide in the spirit of love and respect for each other. While the courageous step towards Naga Reconciliation taken by the three leaders must be applauded, it will be prudent on the part of the Naga public to enable the leaders to transcend all difficulties that stand in the way of complete reconciliation. As urged by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the time has come for the Naga people “to fearlessly speak and work for Reconciliation in the spirit of forgiveness” so that eventually all Naga political groups should become part of the reconciliation.
The September Reconciliation Summit has decisively provided a clear opening to alter the tide of Naga history. The challenge is to courageously transcend and transform the existing moral and political decay ailing the Naga context. To bring transformation, Nagas need a new song, but to sing a new song, Nagas need to liberate their minds in which they should collectively think and act towards a dignified future. The old politics based on fear, animosity; exclusion and ‘the other’ must give way to new politics. Nagas need a new politics, a politics that is visionary and driven by values of the common good and one that transcends the narrow domestic walls of isms. The Naga Reconciliation has provided the opportunity to make this paradigm shift.
It is in the united voice of the Naga people that Nagas political groups can come together and it is this conviction and determination that will provide the energy and inspiration to sustain the journey towards reconciliation. Considering that the Highest Level Reconciliation Summit has taken place, it is essential that the Naga public don’t hold on to the old ways of thinking and doing. This is the time for a new imagination. Nagas should cultivate a new imagination that propels a new politics which is relevant to today’s context and one which reflects and embodies the Naga ethos of respect, truthfulness, compassion, inclusion, freedom and above all a vision for a shared and common Naga future. It is time for Nagas to rise to the occasion.
