DIMAPUR, APRIL 15 (MExN): Responding to the news-report carried in yesterday’s edition of The Morung Express in which a senior NSCN (K) leader Wangtin Konyak had said that the reconciliation process should have started in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was signed, the NSCN (IM) made it known that unity and reconciliation of the Naga people remained on top of its agenda and that it will support any unity bid, including the latest initiative of the Naga Hoho, as long as it remained along the correct principles and upheld the aspirations of the people.
Pointing out that the earlier initiative of the Naga Hoho failed as the NSCN (K) refused to admit on record for the wrong done during the 1988 crisis; the NSCN (IM) reminded that it had fulfilled the demand of the Naga Hoho by apologizing twice through different public statements.
“The Naga Hoho had asked the NSCN (IM) to apologize for the excesses committed by us and so we complied but the NSCN (K) has not apologized for the 1988 crisis”, Deputy Kilonser Kraiba Chawang said. Saying that the NSCN (K) need not necessarily apologize to them, but they should admit their wrong to the people.
Chawang also clarified that the General Secretary Th Muivah in 1989 had send one missionary as emissary to General Kholi with the message that the NSCNs should come together. “But they send him back with threatening words”, the NSCN (IM) leader informed.
Chawang also said that during the 1993 Shisha Hoho meeting, one NSCN (K) Captain Hokishe was eliminated by their own cadres on the ground that he attended the reconciliation meeting. Likewise after 1997, the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership had appointed 5 Tatars to contact the NSCN (K) leaders but instead they came back with the message that the NSCNs can come together but ‘minus the Tangkhuls’ “This in itself is against the basic principle of the Nagas”, Chawang said.
On the infamous Atlanta meet in 1997, the NSCN (IM) Deputy Kilonser disclosed that the entire exercise was organized and sponsored by former Chief Minister S.C Jamir and that they ‘did not see any good intention’ behind this move.
Chawang also advised that if the NSCN (K) leaders were serious enough to reconcile and work for unity, they should put an end to their offensive media campaign and also stop fomenting ‘anti Naga forces’ especially in Manipur. “They should appreciate the level of international support that the NSCN (IM) has been able to generate for the Naga cause”, Chawang said while reiterating that the NSCN (IM) was all for unity “based on the correct principles under the right leadership”.
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