CAN urges GOI to recognise Naga nation for ‘just peace’

Dimapur, Oct. 14 (EMN): Affirming its commitment to establish ‘just peace,’ the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has appealed to the government of India to sincerely translate its recognition of the Naga nation and refrain from the process of de-humanising the Nagas for which ‘just peace’ has evaded the two entities for so long.

A CAN statement has also appealed to every Naga irrespective of occupation or affiliation to speak a single voice in the most peaceful and unified manner.

“Just as much as we treasure our own dignified lives, we too treasure and uphold the dignity of every fellow human being. We believe that every human person, in the form of communities or nations, can live honourably or peacefully without suppressing or being suppressed,” the statement read.

It believed that there is absolutely no room for oppressing or suppressing fellow human beings or nations in any manner be it political, social, economic etc. CAN added that it would be against the divine will of the creator, if in any way, any fellow human being is discriminated on any ground as such an act defiles the divine dignity of God’s presence in every human person.

It stated that it was disturbed and pained to experience oppression, suppression, discrimination and de-humanising times inflicted upon the Nagas by fellow Nagas and by other fellow human beings in the form of government of India and government of Myanmar.

“If exploitation for political, social, economic or religious grounds is justified, then there can be no just peace at any time amongst people or nations,” it stated.

CAN also stated that the Nagas, from generations to generations, had lived a life without any form of subjugation nor did they subjugate any people or community. It expressed pain to note that Nagas are now living under subjugation and placed in different administrative jurisdictions in the countries of India and Burma (Myanmar).

It stated that Nagas, as a people, have the right to assert for nationhood and independence free from any form of subjugation. While expressing belief in the goodness of every human being, CAN do not doubt that better sense could prevail among conflicting social groups or nations if only each of such groups desire just peace and commit themselves.

It stated that people or nations stand to be all the more dignified and honourable by resolving conflicts through respect and recognition of each other’s rights, the result of which would also ensure a common good for both the people or nation.