The Joint Forum of Nagaland GB Federation and the Nagaland Dubasi Association is a neutral body. These two organizations are the custodian of Naga Customary Laws, traditions, culture and usages in the polity of Naga society. This is inherent from our forefathers since time immemorial, specially the GB’s institution. This institution bears the people’s mandate as they are inherited or selected by the village polity according to the customs, traditions and usages of their own particular tribal practices.
In this present context in regards to formation of a Joint Forum, the two institutions are the custodians or the Naga society in relation to law and order in the grass-root level. Nagaland has its peculiar characteristics in the formation and implementation of law and order situation in times of war and in times of peace. Unlike other states in India, this institution control and administer as the local self Government in the village grass root level. They are empowered by the people to decide and to act either to wage war or to make peace.
Whether one resides in the villages, towns or cities, one has its citizenship in the villages, wherever one may live. They belong to a particular village and live under the village rules as a bonafide Naga Citizen. Nagaland State consists of more than 1200 villages as per present record shows. This makes Nagaland State and it means that the land belonged to the Naga people.
To make it a crystal clear, the institution of GBs in the Naga society acts as the Lower House, whereas the institution of DBs act as the Upper House in a Parliamentary form of Government in a democratic country. These two bodies decided to have a Joint Forum to involve and hammer out the long standing fratricidal, killings and bloodshed. The village authority is the deciding factor having polity mandate to defend the lives of the people when the lives of the people is threatened.
Now, basing on the empowerment given by the people of the Naga citizens as an inherit from the time immemorial, these two organizations join hands together and stand firmly to safeguard the lives of its citizens whether one be an underground or overground, because all are Naga brethren and our own kits and kins.
With this in view, the Joint Forum formed delegates to approach all the three factions of the Naga National Workers groups in the month of November 2006. We the Joint Forum appreciated all the groups as they warmly welcomed and entertained the Joint Forum delegates. This was the first attempt by the Joint Forum under the theme, “To stop fratricidal killings and bloodshed amongst the Naga brethren.” The delegates were encouraged by their heart to heart expression without any reservation.
Taking the stock of the issues during the talks with the three factions, the Joint Forum held its General Meeting at State Academy Hall, Kohima on 6th June 2007. In this meeting, the Forum deliberated the crucial issues of the present situations that prevailed in the State. The delegates from all the 10 districts of Nagaland accept Tuensang District GBs attended the meeting. More than 1500 delegates attended the meeting and deliberated thoroughly from 9 AM to 4: 30 PM.
In this August House, the Nagaland GB Federation President presented the key note with some points of suggestions to adopt the resolutions. Accordingly, the house adopted some important resolutions towards the theme “To Stop fratricidal killings and bloodshed amongst the Naga National Workers.”
A body of working committee members was selected from the 11 Districts to go for the 2nd round of talk with the three factions to hammer out the differences amongst them. The delegates consists of 60 to 70 members would make a tentative program and move out to discuss with all the groups after getting appointment from them.
It is our sincere hope and prayer that all the different groups would sincerely honour the resolutions resolved by the Joint Forum to which we would discuss in the ensuing meeting, which will take place within this month of June 2007.
I, on behalf of the Joint Forum and on my own behalf, once again plead to all the factions to shun violence and maintain peaceful co-existence amongst the groups from now on. Incase any untoward incident happen, the Joint Forum will consider such an act as a threat to our mission and a direct challenge for peace and tranquility in Nagaland, if so, the Forum will deal with the matter according to the Naga Customary Law to any faction, group or a person. It is a good gesture that no factional clashes news appeared in the local media, dailies at present and for which I appreciate all the National Workers that you would have more awareness and concern for our tomorrow.
K. Vikuto Zhimomi
President, Nagaland GB Federation
