Dimapur, May 21 (MExN): The Forum for Naga reconciliation is disheartened that the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) group has decided to abstain from the reconciliation meeting scheduled to be held during the last week of May in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A wearied Forum for Naga Reconciliation today issued a declaration today that if at all the Naga groups are not committed to hammering out their differences then there is no need for the forum to continue but “go back to the Naga people.”
A visibly drained Forum for Naga Reconciliation issued a statement today referring to the refusal of the NSCN (IM) to attend the meeting and reminded that such differences and misunderstandings exactly the reasons why the groups need to stay in relationship through face to face meetings and discussions.
“It was most disheartening to hear only through the media that the NSCN/GPRN (Isak and Muivah) has decided to abstain from attending this meeting. While recognizing the difficulties that have prompted them to take such a step, it is pertinent for FNR to remind all Naga national political groups that it is precisely because of such differences and misunderstandings that they need to stay in relationship through face to face meetings and discussions with each other.”
It, the forum declared, has therefore become necessary for the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to publicly state: “If the Naga national political groups are not committed to hammering out their differences on the basis of the resolutions adopted by the Naga people on February 29, 2012 and to finding a lasting peace, the FNR has a moral basis but no practical basis to persist, and the FNR has no option but to go back to the Naga people.” Three weeks after the Naga Reconciliation meeting of February 29, 2012, in Dimapur, the forum said, “Chiang Mai XIII” was held from March 19 to 22, 2012. The NSCN/GPRN (IM), NNC/FGN, and GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) agreed that a "highest level meeting of the Naga Leaders be held at the earliest."
The proposed meeting was to ‘hammer out our (Naga) political differences’ the statement said. “Accordingly, the participants agreed that the venue would be in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation was requested to prepare all logistical arrangements. For that reason, the meeting was scheduled for the last week of May 2012,” the forum said in its statement.
The forum has appealed to all the Naga “political groups” to honor the assurance of their leaders at the highest levels to meet by taking this opportunity to hammer out all differences for the common interest and good of all Naga people. “The FNR assures that this meeting will create the space to constructively address all recent misunderstandings that have been expressed through the media.
Making statements from a distance will only widen the gulf, creating more confusion and heightening tensions.” “We are still in Chiang Mai waiting for you. Do not disappoint the Naga people”, the FNR stated.
