Khaplang appeals all to forgive and forget
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 22
Senior Naga leader SS Khaplang, “president” of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN/NSCN) used the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the “all Naga unification” to drum home the point the enduring desire of the Nagas to “concertedly expedite a final solution to the protracted Indo-Naga-Burma political imbroglio persisted” and that they remain steadfast to Naga unity. “We are to resolve to unify ourselves and rescue our cause from degenerating into the dark depths of the basset of human nature”, stated Khaplang in his message, which was read out by ‘MIP kilonser’ Alezo Venuh.
Stating it to be “tremendous changes” taking place in the Naga political context, Khaplang recollected that it was on this day the 22nd of November 2007 that “unification of the Naga people materialized”, marking a significant land-mark in the political history of the Nagas. “It is the realization of the Naga people, irrespective of tribal affiliations or across artificially imposed boundaries, with a common aspiration to defend our inalienable rights as a people-nation in unity”, he stated.
In a significant gesture, Khaplang using the “momentous occasion of the 1st anniversary of Naga unification inception”, appealed “upon all and sundry to forgive and forget all past happenings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. “In the course of our national movement, unfortunately, many people may have experienced harsh and painful moments at different stages while the national workers were executing their revolutionary duties”, Khaplang stated. Pointing out that the “past cannot be rectified but our future can be moulded if we cultivate a collective vision in its correct perspective”. “Hence, I call upon all responsible Nagas to come forward and dispense each and every person’s respective duties and contribute constructively so that our goals are achieved”.
Khaplang cautioned that Naga peoples’ unity and freedom cannot be “obstinately bartered away with individual ideology or principles” and that “peoples’ wishes and desire cannot be crucified on the altar of inhumanity”. He pointed out that the “commitment of one’s patriotism should transcend sectarian or individual interests but be focused on promoting the desire, wishes and aspiration of the general Naga people”. In this regard, he stated that the “NSCN/GPRN” was “obligated to take up the cudgels of pragmatic and constructive approaches collectively, so that the ugly past does not recur and our aspiration salvaged”.
Extending greetings, and with Christmas seasons in the offing, Khaplang also took the opportunity to salute the “Nagas through whose indomitable spirit in upholding the time-tested conviction to unite, so that an era of peaceful dialogue process to the Indo-Naga-Burma political imbroglio could transpire”. He also thanked the Naga civil society , NGOs, churches, public leaders, intellectuals and the Naga public for having reposed their faith ‘upon the “NSCN/GPRN”’ and also for their support, help and prayers “which have enabled us to attain unity and towards subsequent exploration for a final solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political imbroglio”. Khaplang called upon all the Nagas to rededicate to the task ahead so that “we can build and bequeath the legacy of an assured future for our upcoming generations”.
