Peace and Naga Unity

At this juncture it is encouraging to observe the cry of our people for peace and unity in our land. The participation of Nagas in the program of ‘Nurturing Naga Peoplehood’ at Kutsapo Shisha Hoho Prayer Centre in Phek District from 16-18 Feb 2024 was a manifestation of the true longing and much wished for peace and unity of Nagas in our Land.

The proclamation of Kutsapo meeting is a welcome note. We have to be grateful to the Shisha Hoho and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) who are ceaselessly working for reconciliation and unity since the signing of the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ on the 13th June 2009.

For 15 years now, their efforts continue toward this goal but sadly, we can observe that it is not materialising as desired. True peace, unity of Nagas is still eluding our people so far. How long will this trend go on without any foreseeable alternative? Let us carefully think whether it is because we are lacking a Platform on which to unite.

The murder of IM Kilonser Khampei Konyak on the 21st Feb 2024. By rival political armed groups at Namsa Tizit happened to be a blatant mockery of Kutsapo Proclamation of the 18th Feb 2024. Where are we to find the right path to uphold the proclamation?

All the speakers in Kutsapo meeting advocated for peace and unity but sadly no one openly and clearly mentioned nor hinted a proposed platform on which to unite. Unfortunately, CM Rio failed to participate in the meeting due to unavoidable circumstances, despite the wish of our people to listen to his views. Peace and unity encompasses all Nagas. It is not a subject matter of some people identified as national workers belonging to the day to day increasing coined political groups lacking the mandate of our people.

Naga unity freedom movement was started by the NNC with full mandate of our people and the controlling factor of the workers as the responsibility of the people from the beginning. Now our people have no control over the political groups which our people did not send but we are now dictated upon by those characters. This is because our people failed to exercise their responsibility to send genuine representatives over whom they have control, to serve the nation.

Now, Nagas cannot bury the covenant of the Plebiscite of 1951 and the rightful sovereignty of Naga Nation to accept a solution under India. NNC is the property of all Nagas, Wherein everyone has equal voice and responsibility. Joining and serving the nation under the mainstream of nationalism cannot be implied as defection from one political group to another as one may wish which was the primary cause of fratricide in our land over the past 44 years.

Today, I feel that “Naga Soverignty” is the only platform for Nagas to unite to be one people, one nation in letter and spirit. Let our people rise up and speak the truth and execute our respective responsibilities.