I wish to place on public record my intention to resign as International Co-ordinator of the Naga Vigil HRG and henceforth discontinue my activities in the territory of Nagaland.
These are for purely personal and not political reasoning and should not be misconstrued as disaffection to the Naga national cause for which I have sacrificed the best part of 18 years service. The latter having included 3 years and 3 months in the home front in an underground capacity and 2 years 2 months as a prisoner of war. In parting I wish the national workers well in their endeavours to secure liberty for the people and bring all Nagas closer together to face the challenges ahead.
I will always retain an undying admiration for the Naga people and the endearing qualities that I am fully aware of. Not least of which is their unbridled hospitality, sincerity and courage, it has been my pleasure and privilege to witness at first hand and close quarters. We have lived, fought and faced many seemingly insurmountable odds together as one family therefore, there is no shame for me to speak frankly and freely with any of you. Many will be aware of my past record as well as my shortcomings as a husband, activist and father. It is the latter that perturbs me the most of all, however, I tender my sincere apologies for the sentiments of anyone who may have been hurt through my actions.
I also apologise and beg the pardon of my daughter Maria who is 26 years, with whom I have recently been re-united after a gap of 23 years. My failures as a father are unforgivable in the extreme, yet I am eternally grateful to God that she bears neither recrimination nor any feeling of rejection towards me. It may be difficult for some sections of our people to accept that whilst I was willing to die for a cause I believe in, I now have a reason to live and make amends and be worthy of my daughter’s love. I say difficult because many of my friends are no more and they have left behind wives and children. It is therefore with a heavy heart that I have made this decision. It is not in my nature to supplicate myself to our enemies and no doubt some will rejoice at my parting. Others may see it as an act of surrender at least in principle. It is not and in this regard should a single Naga demand it I will return my warrior’s necklace and dao without question.
The Naga national archives may be collected with the prior approval of Federal Government of Nagaland’s Kedahge, Brigadier S. Singnya Khiamniungan and NNC Regional President, Mr. Zhopra Vero Chakhesang as soon as practically convenient. For security reasons these are not housed under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom and sufficient time ought to be allowed to secure them.
I will continue to provide humanitarian relief in the form of medicines to the Eastern Nagaland from my own earnings within my individual capacity. I hope that my friends will still be my friends and we enjoy a long association with each other in the future. I wish all Nagas well in achieving their cherished goal. When we are at the base of Mount Saramati we may approach to climb it from different directions and the distance from each other seems great. However, as we near the actual summit we become closer and finally at the peak we are one people of one nation with the same objective. Kuknalim.
22nd August 2007.
David P. Ward
54 Saughton Mains Street
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH11 3HD, United Kingdom
