DIMAPUR, JULY 29 (MExN): Terming it as an “essential and decisive step towards building bridges in the Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope,” the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has informed that public and church leaders representing the common aspirations of the Nagas in Burma met with the FNR from July 27-29, 2011 at a neutral venue.
According to a press note from the FNR, during the three-day meeting, the delegates shared “precious moments of truth-telling and engaged in constructive dialogue to ensure that the reconciliation process moves forward”. According to the FNR, in order to “nurture understanding and critical solidarity among the Naga people, the delegates have given recognition to eight points, which was adopted by the Naga Public and Church Leaders of Burma and Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
Firstly it was recognized that since Nagas are Nagas wherever they may be geographically located, it was their birthright to exercise their historical and political rights irrespective of artificial boundaries. It also termed as arbitrary the “geographical realities under which” Nagas live and pointing out that this has complicated “our right to live together as a people”. At the same time it acknowledged “the necessity to understand and appreciate each other’s distinct realities and difficulties”.
It was also recognized that many a times due to difficulties in communicating, “suspicions were aroused and mistakes were unintentionally committed, causing Nagas to hurt each other and damage relationships”.
It also recognized the urgent need for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation towards repairing broken relationships between Naga leaders, as well as among and between the Naga public in all Naga-Lands.
It recognized the need to renew the process of re-establishing effective communication between all Nagas so that despite the different geographical realities, “we will work together using non-violent means towards a shared Naga future”. “The wholeness of the Naga historical and political rights is possible with the mutual acceptance and respect of the Nagas in Burma”.
It was also recognized that the “Naga Churches and Naga public in Burma fully affirm their fullest support to the Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope, with particular reference to the “Covenant of Reconciliation.”
Further it termed as significant “the landmark Resolution on the Naga Reconciliation Process adopted by the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 4-9, 2011”. “We need to respond to this global trust put on the Nagas and demonstrate to the world that Nagas can indeed transcend our differences and reconcile with each other for the common good of all”, it stated.
In light of the above, the public and church leaders of the Nagas in Burma and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation further resolved to “strengthen and take forward the Naga reconciliation process on the basis of the historical and political rights affirming our commitment that there is no turning back.”
It also resolved to creatively rise above the geographical divisions under which we live and to implore the Naga political groups to honor the “Covenant of Reconciliation” and to remain committed to addressing all outstanding issues through mutual respect and understanding, and by using non-violent means.
It further resolved to stand firm to its commitment that no one will be left out of the reconciliation process. “We assert that Naga Reconciliation is neither selective nor is it about merging; rather it stands for mutual respect and acceptance in rebuilding the wholeness of the Naga people”. “We extend the spirit of reconciliation and make this call for better understanding to all the communities and nationalities neighboring the Naga-Lands”.
According to a press note from the FNR, during the three-day meeting, the delegates shared “precious moments of truth-telling and engaged in constructive dialogue to ensure that the reconciliation process moves forward”. According to the FNR, in order to “nurture understanding and critical solidarity among the Naga people, the delegates have given recognition to eight points, which was adopted by the Naga Public and Church Leaders of Burma and Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
Firstly it was recognized that since Nagas are Nagas wherever they may be geographically located, it was their birthright to exercise their historical and political rights irrespective of artificial boundaries. It also termed as arbitrary the “geographical realities under which” Nagas live and pointing out that this has complicated “our right to live together as a people”. At the same time it acknowledged “the necessity to understand and appreciate each other’s distinct realities and difficulties”.
It was also recognized that many a times due to difficulties in communicating, “suspicions were aroused and mistakes were unintentionally committed, causing Nagas to hurt each other and damage relationships”.
It also recognized the urgent need for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation towards repairing broken relationships between Naga leaders, as well as among and between the Naga public in all Naga-Lands.
It recognized the need to renew the process of re-establishing effective communication between all Nagas so that despite the different geographical realities, “we will work together using non-violent means towards a shared Naga future”. “The wholeness of the Naga historical and political rights is possible with the mutual acceptance and respect of the Nagas in Burma”.
It was also recognized that the “Naga Churches and Naga public in Burma fully affirm their fullest support to the Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope, with particular reference to the “Covenant of Reconciliation.”
Further it termed as significant “the landmark Resolution on the Naga Reconciliation Process adopted by the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 4-9, 2011”. “We need to respond to this global trust put on the Nagas and demonstrate to the world that Nagas can indeed transcend our differences and reconcile with each other for the common good of all”, it stated.
In light of the above, the public and church leaders of the Nagas in Burma and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation further resolved to “strengthen and take forward the Naga reconciliation process on the basis of the historical and political rights affirming our commitment that there is no turning back.”
It also resolved to creatively rise above the geographical divisions under which we live and to implore the Naga political groups to honor the “Covenant of Reconciliation” and to remain committed to addressing all outstanding issues through mutual respect and understanding, and by using non-violent means.
It further resolved to stand firm to its commitment that no one will be left out of the reconciliation process. “We assert that Naga Reconciliation is neither selective nor is it about merging; rather it stands for mutual respect and acceptance in rebuilding the wholeness of the Naga people”. “We extend the spirit of reconciliation and make this call for better understanding to all the communities and nationalities neighboring the Naga-Lands”.
