Naga political groups, FNR adopt Naga national anthem

DIMAPUR — The Naga political groups (NPGs) and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) have resolved to “legally adopt” the Naga national anthem, written and composed by late R Kevichusa.

A resolution to this effect was taken during a meeting on March 6 and April 13, the FNR said in a press release on Monday.

It said that the NPGs, institutions of learning, Naga civil bodies and all other organisations shall sing the Naga national anthem on important occasions, effective from the date of its publication in the media.

The press release also stated that a meeting was held on April 13, during which it was agreed that a special programme would be organised to mark the Naga Plebiscite Day on May 16. The event will be organised by the FNR with the support of NPGs and other Naga bodies to commemorate “the Naga common political history and move forward without delay”.

The FNR and the NPGs have also requested individuals, institutions and organisations across Naga areas to attend and show solidarity.

Additionally, the April 13 meeting also took serious cognisance of FNR’s resolution that stated, “We (NPGs) have understood and affirmed the importance of working out the Naga political process through cooperation as agreed in the ‘September Joint Accordant’ September 14, 2022.”

The meeting also reminded the NPGs to once again, honour the “Covenant of Reconciliation” signed on June 13, 2009, by the highest level leaderships, in toto, it said.

Further, the FNR went on to state that NPGs, civil society organisations, churches, prayer centres and citizens from across Naga areas converged at Kutsapo from Feb. 16 to the 18th , with a renewed spirit of imagining the Naga future.

This was strengthened by subsequent meetings between NPGs and FNR on March 2, March 6 and April 16. These meetings, it said, were both critical reflections coupled with constructive appraisals of the ‘Journey of Common Hope’.

Stating that Naga history has always withstood the test of time and baffled activists and insiders alike, the FNR said that part of the constructive ‘Journey of Common Hope’ is the practice of Naga sovereignty without impinging anyone.

“The Naga identity is not without a boundary as all identities imply a boundary. We affirm that Naga identity is permeable,” it said, calling on the inhabitants of the Naga-land to render solidarity across ethnic and religious affiliation and give a chance to the future.