Dimapur, January 3 (MExN): NSCN K President Gen (Retd) Niki Sumi has said that despite reservations, his organisation opted to heed to the call of Nagas to give peace a chance, while being mindful of the past, present and the future consequences on Naga generations.
In a statement, Niki explained that the decision to give peace a chance emanated from most of the Nagas appealing and yearning for peace, which had been absent spanning across decades and generations.
“I, as a Naga, cannot unilaterally go against the wishes and aspirations of our people and, consequent to our decision to give peace a chance, I might have hurt or let down the sentiments of a few which was never my intention. Therefore, I do request all to introspect on the wishes and aspirations of the Naga people to give peace a chance,” Niki stated.
Acknowledging the “overwhelming love and support to the common Naga cause,” from all spheres, Sumi said that he had always derived fortitude and resilience through trials and tribulations with God’s mercy and Naga people’s support.
He recalled the 16-point Agreement of 1960, six rounds of talks in 1966 and Shillong Accord of 1975 and claimed that the NSCN/GPRN split due to miscommunication and misunderstanding about the Indian government’s open door policy for talks and regretted that every agreement or political talks only paved the way for more bloodshed among Nagas, further weakening and creating more division among Nagas.
More organisations welcome NSCN (K) decision
Several organisations have welcomed the Niki Sumi led NSCN (K)’s decision to join the Indo-Naga peace negotiations with the Centre.
The Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) has appreciated the Government of India and the NSCN (K) led by General (Rtd) Nikhui (Niki) Sumi and General Secretary Starson Lamkang, for ceasing hostilities and entering into negotiations.
“The NGBF would like to congratulate (Niki) Sumi and Lamkang for having the wisdom to realize that there is a limit to what an armed conflict can achieve, while expressing its gratitude for the magnanimity expressed by Modi and the Government of India in welcoming the former to the negotiating table,” it said in a statement received here today.
The NGBF views with renewed hope this latest development in the Indo-Naga story as a giant step forward in resolving differences and coming to a lasting agreement between the Naga people and the people of India, it added.
CNTC: The Central Naga Tribes Council (CNTC) meanwhile applauded the group for paying heed to the call of the people, saying it was optimistic that the long awaited political solution of the Indo-Naga issue would be obtained in a short span of time, with the new developments.
“The CNTC further urge upon the Government of India and its esteemed leaders to be earnest in their efforts to find an honourable and acceptable solution to the long vexed Naga political issue’ it said in a statement dated December 31, 2020.
NSF: In a separate message, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) said it was convinced that “this development is the right step towards bringing about a peaceful end to the protracted Indo-Naga peace process.”
It appealed to all the parties to the negotiation to show sincerity in their approach and ensure that a solution that is inclusive, honourable and acceptable to the Nagas is brought about at the earliest.
The federation, further, reiterated its appeal to the Naga people to be mindful of the “deceptive approaches” of adversaries, love each other unconditionally, accept each others' weaknesses and together with Christ, strive towards the ultimate goal.
