Chizokho Vero
Kohima | July 9
NSCN/GPRN Ato Kilonser Th. Muivah today said “we have to reach out to the people to spread the message of reconciliation.” Addressing a public consultation on ‘Naga political journey with Th. Muivah’ organized by Angami Public Organization (APO) here at the Zonal Council Hall, Muivah asserted that so long as people understand, there can be unity.
He also talked about the need to make people understand on the necessity of reconciliation. “We are searching for you. We are here today...Nagas must understand each other,” Muivah said. He said Nagas must decide keeping in mind the rights of the Naga people, adding Nagas must be the master of their future.
Stressing on the need for unity, he said every Naga must rise up, adding if they failed to do that “you are gone.” There is season for everything and we should not miss the season, Muivah said adding Nagas must understand the truth. Muivah said Angami leaders showed the way so we could see the light, adding that Angamis had really done the most significant work in the history of Nagas, saying they shaped and showed the way for the Nagas.
Angami Public Organization (APO) general secretary Keneingunyu Sekhose said that Muivah reaching out to the Naga people at this time “as you are currently doing is appreciated.” Speaking on behalf of APO, Sekhose said “But we should frankly state that your repeated calls for reconciliation now without any explanation of the NSCN- IM’s outright rejection of the earlier attempts for reconciliation by Naga civil society has raised misgivings.
“This is expressed because we believe it is in keeping with the serious intension of this meeting today to examine fundamental issues. Our crisis compels all of us to examine ourselves and why we now fear and question with anger the struggle we have loved and depended on to shape our identity and survival? What is the explanation of the destructive society and politics we have produced?”
Sekhose said Angamis are justly grateful for the role history gave them and also the privilege to play in the launching of the Naga struggle. “In all humility and some justifiable pride, we can say we too gave our best for the common cause.’ The APO general secretary said Angamis stand by the pledge that was jointly read out by the representatives of 28 tribes in Kohima in December 20, 2001. He said that it was fully aware that healing and reconciliation will be possible only if “we are willing to give others the chance to tell us where our mistakes and wrongs had provoked others to do the wrongs to us for which we have condemned them. “The beginnings of reconciliation taking place within the Angami family also are progressing through this approach.”
He also recalled that APO had passed a resolution on June 21 this year. It stated that Angamis as with all other tribes are clear that the wounds and hurts sustained within the Naga family have damaged relationship among Nagas too excessively to be treated lightly. They must be addressed at a level deep enough and healed so that the health of our society may be restored and our politics cleansed and made worthy of our trust and confidence. To go into this sensitive process will take time, and prior proper groundwork would be needed. APO said that the right time must be worked out and the Angamis can be depended upon to play their part towards achieving the needed healing and reconciliation.
However, APO believed that the prior need for Nagas at this junction is for the top leadership of all the groups of the fragmented Naga national struggle to sit down and transparently thrash out the specific/precise terms for political negotiation with the Government of India to achieve an honorable, acceptable settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue that will last. APO believed this strategy will open the door to real reconciliation, healing and unity to make the settlement work. Sekhose said that it will be an honour for the Angamis to host such a historic event if required to do so. “This is the stand of the Angamis with regard to all groups of the Naga national workers,” said Sekhose.
Lt. Gen. (Retd) V.S. Atem, Emissary to Collective Leadership also spoke on the occasion. The function was chaired by APO president Kekhriengulie Linyu while Eev. L. Suohie Mhasi said invocation prayer. Vote of thanks was tendered by Mhiesizokho Zinyu, advisor APO. Interaction with public also took place.
