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Dimapur, Aug. 1 (EMN): The ceasefire signed between the government of India (GoI) and the NSCN (IM) created conditions instrumental in bringing about peace in Nagaland and also creating understanding between the two parties, said Lt. Gen. Amarjeet Singh Bedi, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM (Retd.), Chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG).
He was speaking during a programme held to commemorate 25 years of Indo-Naga ceasefire at Mission Centre, Western Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (WCBCC), 7th Mile, Chumoukedima on Monday.
‘The peaceful condition in Nagaland is a result of ceasefire, and it has also brought confidence in the establishment to be able to remove AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act) in some of the areas of Nagaland,’ maintained the special invitee of the event.
He shared that if the situation on the ground was not handled in a mature manner and with honest intention, it could turn into a larger conflict.
“But I must convey my sincere thanks and compliments to the NSCN leadership, and their ceasefire monitoring cell for their commitment in maintaining peace,” he said.
RH Raising, member of Collective Leadership, NSCN (IM), said that the present peace talk or ceasefire agreement would be ‘meaningless’ if it doesn’t lead towards the solution.
“Our objective is solution, and we fight for solution, and ceasefire must be for solution,” he said.
“If we do not see any green signal of solution, then why should we keep talking, because we are not for talk but we (NSCN) are for solution,” he said, adding that ‘peace does not exist alone but goes along with solution and the truth, and that unity should be meant for one solution’.
‘We are the victims of war and it has destroyed our land, so we want peace but peace is a far-cry unless it touches the heart of the matter,’ he said, adding that peace has become a reality in Nagaland but during this time, ‘we have to rebuild the damaged relation caused by war and also rebuild the psychology of the people that was damaged by the war’.
He concluded that peace should be a message of solution and the Framework Agreement is the ‘only meeting point for us’. “I hope this will solve the problems of Indians and Nagas,” he added.
Lt. General VS Atem, VC (Retd.) CLM and Team Leader, Cease Fire Ground Rules Review Committee (CFGRRC), shared how the GoI and NSCN (IM) had mutually agreed in the ceasefire agreement to hold political talks without any pre-condition, at the highest level, and outside India in a third neutral country.
He shared that a ceasefire was proposed by the GOI because without it, no meaningful political talks could be held but it started in a discouraging atmosphere after the then Prime Minister of India, IK Gujral, stated on the floor of the parliament that ceasefire would be confined to Nagaland state, which was contrary to the agreement. However, they agreed to work on the ceasefire ground after the GoI representative assured to rectify the matter.
He opined that the Nagas are ‘too simple, ignorant, and easygoing’ while the Indians are ‘too clever, cunning, and arrogant’.
“GOI and NSCN must realise that this is the time to tighten our bags and deal with the political issue seriously without sleep and rest,” he stated.
Rev. Wati Aier, Convenor of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, said that Nagas are beyond the state of Nagaland; ‘it is a fact and general knowledge which every Naga should get.’
“It does not take brains to say that Nagas are in other places, and the only way to solve this issue is for Nagas to come together, understand one another and cooperate with each other.”
He also asserted that Nagas had reached the ‘maximum’ and now it was time to converge.
‘Everyone must continue towards the possibility because we are on the verge of converging and even the law of nature is commanding that we must converge,’ he said.
Speaking about unity, he opined that ‘we must find unity from a different perspective and accept the differences and stay as Nagas’.
‘Let us not impart idealism, which is useless but we must take this political event, imagination that is realistic, and I believe that we can solve the problems by coming together,’ he asserted.
President of Naga Hoho, HK Zhimomi, lamented that the peace talk has been brought down to the Home ministry level and asked how the GoI expects the Nagas to agree and disagree without touching the core issues; and how it can sign two agreements for one issue.
He further appealed to the government of Nagaland to resume the talks but touch the core issue- rights of the Nagas. “GoI should not undermine the needs of the Nagas and rights,” he added.
KK Angami, Convenor SC and CLM, NSCN, released a booklet titled “25 Years of Indo-Naga Ceasefire (1997-2022)” at the programme.
Short speeches were delivered by Vikiye Sumi, CLM; President of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, Tsapikiu Sangtam; President of UNC, S Kho John; President of Naga Council Dimapur, Etsungmomo Kikon; General Secretary of Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, Neingulo Krome; President of Global Naga Forum, Chuba Ozukum; and President of Tenyimi Union, Dimapur Vekhosayi Nyekha.