In a positive gesture towards peace and reconciliation, the NSCN (IM) in a proclamation declared by its Chairman Isak Chishi Swu announced that whosoever has committed crime against the people and the NSCN (IM) is forgiven. The proclamation issued by Swu on January 13 and reiterated a second time a few days later also “earnestly” urged those groups and individuals, who have committed serious political mistakes in the past, to seek forgiveness from the people. It was however unfortunate that barely a few hours later, armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) to which Swu belongs killed two Konyak youths ‘allegedly’ belonging to the rival NSCN (K) group. While senior Kilonser in the NSCN (IM) Tongmeth Wangnao later clarified that the killings could have been ‘averted’ if the peace proclamation had preceded the unfortunate incident, sadly the damage and hurt caused to the Konyak community had already been done.
Hopefully, the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership will respond to the representation made by the Konyak Union and clarify to the points raised by the latter. In this way, both the two sides should keep the channels of communication open and address problems and issues in a transparent, democratic and peaceful manner though a process of listening to each other. The timely decision of the Council of Kilonsers to order a probe into the January 13 killings should likewise be welcomed. To be fair to the KU, what it has raised is the feeling of hurt and anguish felt by the Konyak community against the NSCN (IM). The Collective Leadership Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah are therefore also in the best ‘time’ and ‘position’ to respond to the concerns. The initiative taken by the KU to present their genuine concerns to the NSCN (IM) leadership is therefore welcome and hopefully similar processes of sharing will take place between others as well.
It is now extremely important that the senior leaders in the different national groups also start taking control of the political process before the issue becomes more complex and go out of their hands (control). Underground leaders should use their authority to restrain their armed cadres from undertaking further operations and to direct them to remain confined to their respective camps. The media wings of the respective groups should also put an end to the paper war and help create a congenial atmosphere for peace building options to develop.
More importantly, now that the NSCN (IM) has declared its intentions for peace and reconciliation through the welcome proclamation issued by its Chairman, its armed cadres should not belie this peace call. The senior leadership in the other national groups should also take this as the best opportunity to close ranks with each other and work through a common platform. Against this backdrop, the positive statement emanating from the NSCN (K) General Secretary Kitovi Zhimomi affirming to usher in peace among the Nagas is another truly welcome development.
Subsequently, the proposal for Kilonser level talks as earlier suggested by the NBCC should be seriously pursued. The UG groups should likewise cooperate and support such a move. It goes without saying that this is an opportune time for the Naga leaders to reconcile and assume their shared responsibility towards the people and the cause they have laboriously undertaken. Failure to grab this chance for peace will be a costly mistake for the Nagas.
