FNR for an ‘Inclusive’ Naga future

Members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and Peace Channel seen here at the Peace Festival 2008, held at Christ Hall, Holy Cross Higher Secondary campus, Dimapur. (Morung Photos)

Members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and Peace Channel seen here at the Peace Festival 2008, held at Christ Hall, Holy Cross Higher Secondary campus, Dimapur. (Morung Photos)

Dimapur, December 8 (MExN): Questions were posed to members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation today for their “personal opinions” regarding the Naga peace talks with the Government of India, by students and members of the Peace Channel. The interactive session was part of the Peace Festival 2008, held at Christ Hall, Holy Cross Higher Secondary Campus in Dimapur.
Rev. Phughoto Aye wondered, that at this point in time, when the Naga house is so divided, should ‘any kind of solution’ be offered by the Centre, if it would be acceptable to the Nagas.

Another member of the forum, Aküm Longchari while considering the present turmoil in the country, pointed out that unless India deals with its own history, it is in no way prepared to engage on issues such as the Naga and Kashmir conflicts in a way that will lead towards any solution. “Only a strong India can bring a solution …. but what we have today is an India which is not strong in that sense and is still trying to address the burdens of its own history, as a result of which, rather than resolving political issues, it has efficiently confined itself to ‘managing’ the problem, not solving it”, stated Aküm Longchari. Seeking to refrain from ‘saying too much’ on the question, convener of the forum, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier stressed on the need to avoid all exclusivities and urged all to be inclusive as the goal in current pursuit is a united vision. 

According to the director of peace channel, Fr. CP Anto, the festival was organized with the purpose to strengthen unity and relationships between different religions, to honour and facilitate the Forum for Naga Reconciliation for their tireless efforts towards peace-building in the state and through interaction with the members, to motivate the young members of the Peace Channel. 

In course of the interaction, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier also conveyed the message that the greatest threat to the reconciliation and peace process was myth-making and rumors. Many people in the Naga “political groups” have been killed by rumors, he said in allegory. While urging the Naga people to be very careful and be aware of rumors, he underscored the need to be careful of a third force in the Naga political struggle. The need for people’s support and participation in the reconciliation process was emphasized for achieving the dream and goal for a reconciled Naga people and land.

In his keynote address, the convener also informed the gathering on the present status of the reconciliation process. Despite the distance covered so far, it is gaining trust which is proving a difficult task, he said. The Naga “political groups” had taken the risk to talk to each other outside the country and had also met six times in Nagaland besides participating in two Naga Reconciliation soccer matches. He said the process needed time as clarifications from all the groups needed sorting out, he said. Dr. Wati urged the people to be patient. “The political groups need to come together and sort out their wounds before a third party which is the Forum for Naga Reconciliation” he reminded.

The reverend also opined that all forms of rationalization and justification are suicidal for the Nagas and that confessing one’s weaknesses and acknowledging ones mistakes is essential. Rev. Dr. Wati also firmly reiterated that ‘Reconciliation’ did not mean becoming one or one group merging with the other but that reconciliation has to be with each other while each group remained where it is. The convener added that at some later stage if the different political groups wish to take the process further and to a higher level, it would be their decision. 

The chief guest of the festival, Parliamentary Secretary T Torechu lauded the initiative of the Peace Channel especially in the light of the Christmas season. Drawing comparison with the social discipline and civic sense of the Chinese who are mostly Buddhists, Torechu called on the Nagas –worshippers of the living God – to imbibe these virtues. Saying that peace comes not from outside but is of the mind the parliamentary secretary urged all to do away with tribal tendencies which, he reminded, is the root of all disunity amongst the Nagas.

Earlier in the program, Assisi School students welcomed the gathering with a song while coordinator of Peace Channel Kishor Das, offered the vote of thanks. 
 



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