The spate of factional killings spread across the Naga homeland during the first part of the year especially in and around Dimapur is hopefully a thing of the past. Ever since the peace and reconciliation process under the banner of the Forum for Naga reconciliation, the level of violence and killings has subsided substantially. Even as another Naga Peace Summit is currently underway at Chiangmai, Thailand, due credit must be given to the FNR and especially to all the Naga national groups for showing outmost restraint. Yes, there have been incidents, including killings, even after the reconciliation process had been well underway. But as affirmed by the Naga peace Summit resolutions over the last three or four sittings—the reconciliation process is now ‘irreversible’. Right from the beginning, it was admitted that the process itself was not going to be easy and that there would be challenges and difficulties. But the underlying hope was that all this could be countered by mutual understanding, building trust and looking at the common good. And this is essentially the appeal to all the Naga national groups in particular the NSCNs to sit down together and resolve all outstanding issues. For the FNR, it is suggested that without wasting any more time, a core group is formed to arrange a meeting of the top leaders from the various groups. The National Socialist Council of Nagalim appears to be open to the idea of sitting down with SS Khaplang and General Khole. Likewise, a former Naga Army Chief General Thenoselie had also suggested a similar idea. It is for the FNR to push this suggestion quickly.
In the meantime, the 10-Point “A Covenant of Common Hope” adopted by Naga participants during the latest Naga Peace Summit III at Chiang Mai, Thailand earlier in the year, needs to be revitalized. While the importance of the document as a guideline for ensuring peace and mutual understanding looks pretty on paper, yet the FNR should admit that the “Covenant” has not been adhered to in letter and spirit as was expected. With another round of meeting taking place at Chiang Mai, unfortunately without a major player, the FNR should consider every possible peace option to ensure the reconciliation process is not allowed to be derailed at this juncture. Likewise, all concerned—both civil society and national groups must take immediate steps to create the conditions for lasting peace. This include revoking of bans, excommunication and quit notices—the continuation of which will only perpetuate further feelings of anger and reprisal and deepen the malaise of hate campaign, which in turn will be detrimental to the future peaceful co-existence of the Nagas. With Christmas heralding the birth of the Prince of Peace round the corner, it will be only appropriate to suggest that those who are willing to make the first move take a unilateral decision of reviewing or correcting their respective stand/s in tune with the letter and spirit of the “Covenant of Common Hope”. Once this is done, people will have huge expectation for the other party/s or groups to reciprocate likewise.
