N. Theyo
Respected Members of the Nagaland Peace Centre and Ladies & Gentlemen,
It is indeed a privilege for me to welcome you all on behalf of the Nagaland Peace Centre to this historic occasion of 52nd Anniversary of Peace Day which is a day of joy. This morning we are gathering here to remember the historic moment which has brought peace to our land in the year 1964. We remember this day to honour ‘Peace Day’. We also gathered here to offer our thanksgiving to God on this occasion for his goodness and mercy shown upon the Nagas and the Indians. We deeply appreciate that it was the magnanimity of the intention of the Indian leaders like - Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Sastri, Late Indira Gandhi, Deva Gawda, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and present Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government to effect a change from military measures against the Nagas and opt for political engagement to find out political and peaceful solution to the Naga political problem. The Indian State recognised the uniqueness of Naga history which in itself exhibit the desire for peaceful political settlement.
At home it is noteworthy to mention here that we Naga people should remember with gratitude the leaders of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council like Rev. Longri Ao, Late Kenneth Kerhuo and many others who initiated peace efforts in Nagaland. The Baptist Convention which was held at Wokha from 31st January to 2nd February 1964 warmly welcomed the peace talk between the Government of India and the NNC President late Dr. A.Z. Phizo. They also formed the Peace Mission with its famous members like Late Jayaprakash Narayan, the founder of Nagaland Peace Centre, Kohima, Late Rev. Michel Scott, Late B.P. Chaliha. After 10 years of violence and bloodshed ceasefire came into being on 6th September 1964 and the opportunity of peace talk was provided with the Government of India for political settlement. In recent years considerable progress in the peace efforts to remove the hard and ugly history of Nagaland and peaceful and possible era is delivered towards realizing the ideals of peace with the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) on 1st August 1997 and with the NSCN(K) on 2nd April 2001.
On this auspicious occasion Nagaland Peace Centre appeals to everyone to work for strengthening political force for peace and pray for the final political settlement of the Naga political issue. It is unfortunate to see that the Naga National workers failed to remain united to work to achieve what they desire for political solution is delayed because of disunity and infighting. If it were a football team entering the play ground with so much internal discussion and dissection, would not expect a great or better results of the match. There are clear lines of fracture in their struggle for political settlement.
Nagaland Peace Centre is closely associated with the Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi. The aim of Nagaland Peace Centre is to uphold the policy of peace and discourage violence and bloodshed. We fully support the policy of peace efforts of the State Government in dealing with the Naga groups who are engaged in political dialogue with the Government of India to resolve an acceptable and honourable Naga political solution. Members of Nagaland Peace Centre sometimes engaged in peace making even in the Naga inhabited areas of Tamenglong district of Manipur and also in Assam meeting and talking with the members of ULFA. The world Peace Council where one Indian Ramesh Chandra was the President, invited Nagaland Peace Centre to participate since the nuclear war threat to peace loving citizens of the world needs to be addressed; but due to financial constraint we failed to attend in such peace body meeting; but Manipur Peoples Party used to attend where peace members consist of Asia, USA, Canada, Australia, Latin America etc. with variety of personalities from Hindu, Muslim, Conservative, Communist, Christian and so on. We expressed our appreciation and support to FNR and Church members who took a number of initiatives to bring about reconciliation and peace to prevail in our land; because this provides a new direction towards peace and reconciliation.
In conclusion, it may be stated here that after Indo-Naga holocaust during 1954 to 1964, ceasefire came into being and peace talk started. The Peace Mission members of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council felt that we must ensure that never again will there be such horrible sufferings and with that end in view Peace Centre was established with a view to find out ways and means to avert violence and bloodshed.
On 3rd August 2015, NSCN (IM) took up a political venture and signed the frame work agreement with the Government of India with the hope that this historic agreement will resolve and would result in achieving a political aspiration of all Nagas wherever they are. Another move initiated by the Naga leaders who are aware and concern with the rest of the political groups who are engaged in ceasefire with the Government of India, to start a political dialogue with the Government of India under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We also appeal to NSCN(K) and the NNC regime led by Adino Phizo to think and consider to join ongoing peace process so that the hanging political problem of Nagaland would be solved once for all. Desires and wishes of Naga people should be honoured and respected.
Respected and peace loving members, let us use our influence by meeting and telling our national workers who are engaged in ceasefire agreement for Naga peace talks for political solution to respect each other as Naga brothers and Naga sisters and value human dignity so that they can prevent much further brothers killing brothers; because the fratricide killing is against the spirit of nationalism. It is self annihilation. It is just because of our stupidity only. The Bible has a clear warning to all Nagas which is found in Gospel of Luke, Chapter 11 verse 17; because many precious lives were lost during the last factional conflicts. This is an abhorrent idea and must be stopped immediately. Now it is for all Nagas to see that Naga national leaders who have been in foreign countries for their political journey have now come back and stays in their homeland except S.S. Khaplang who is a Hemi Tribe Naga in Myanmar.
My best wishes on this occasion and for a rewarding and enjoyable day to you all.
Speech by N. Theyo, Chairman, Nagaland Peace Centre on the occasion of the thanksgiving service in commemoration with the peace day on September 6, 2017 at 11 a.m. in the Conference Hall of the Hotel Japfu, Kohima
