DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (MExN): The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on Wednesday urged the Naga leaders and the Naga public to reconnect and tap into the vast potentials offered in the Naga Concordant.
The Naga Concordant, which was signed on August 16, 2011, resolved to work towards the formation of one Naga National Government. The signatories were Th Muivah, Late Isak Chishi Swu, Brigadier (Retired) S. Singnya, Zhopra Vero, General (Retired) Khole Konyak, and. N. Kitovi Zhimomi.
The agreement at the time of signing also constituted a High Level Commission (HLC) comprising of the signatories, headed by the Chairman/President or the General Secretary/Vice President, and having no less than four competent members in the ranks of Kilonser/Major General and above, as found deemed fit by the respective governments.
Regrettably, the consummation of the Naga Concordant could not be completed and was a subject of criticism from many quarters, including the general public, the FNR admitted, while noting that the Concordant, and its enactment, was also not given a fair trial.
While maintaining that a document, specifically of political nature, takes years to evolve even under the most optimum conditions, the FNR however acknowledged that the Naga Concordant has not been fulfilled and, logically, it could not keep its commitment to the Nagas.
“And, thus today, we remain in an unresolved state. We continue to suffer from the complex of being unable to admit to our limitations, just as we continue to be too easily sedated by the past,” it said.
At this juncture, the FNR sought to remind the Naga people that having survived as a people of “nations” for decades, the secret to this survival have been a spirit of belonging as a people-group with a distinct social, cultural, and political consciousness.
“We, like numerous other people-groups in the world, have endured despite numerous attempts at domesticating this spirit of belonging.”
It also expressed optimism that Nagas from many walks of life are progressing and gaining a sense of the rights and cohesiveness which was lacked before and finding a common strength to remake “our world through small happenings.”
Much has changed in the years since the signing of the Concordant, and much needs to be changed, the FNR said adding, “Our strength springs from the hope that is formed out of oneness – our solidarity and unity as a people.”
The FNR also recommitted itself to the core mission of applied reconciliation that will lead to a peaceful future of hope, and at the same time urged the Naga people to find ways to affirm and appreciate others by “casting out the demons of dismissive mindsets and by rejecting cynicism.”
It noted that the rallying voice here at home is for the possibility of an achievement, and not one that is handed down at the expense of others basing on the simple truth that “Nagas are talking with India and India is talking with Nagas for a political outcome with possibilities for a solution.”
