EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 10
Naga Hoho on Tuesday appealed to the government of India and NSCN(K) to retrospect and earnestly work together in the spirit of mutual respect and appreciation for each other and reinstate the ceasefire agreement at the earliest. The Naga Hoho pledged its “fullest support” and participation in its collective search for ways and means to usher in a secured future in “our land” wherein the dignity, honour and human rights of the people are safeguarded.
Naga Hoho then said it is perturbed over the rationale of unabated violent confrontations between the “government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN (K)” after many years of observing ceasefire agreement and “peace talks”. The Naga Hoho in a statement said that this negated the desire of the Naga people for a negotiated settlement of the Indo- Naga Issue to usher in an era of lasting and just peace. It added that the futility of war is manifested in the fact that Nagas continue to live under perpetual subjugation and oppression and India’s progression toward a deserving and respectable place amongst nations is hindered “though it proclaims” to be the largest democracy in the world.
“Practice of intolerance with no respect for human dignity and blatant disregard for innocent lives even supposedly of its own citizens has been the hallmark of India’s policy in dealing with any form of dissent,” the Naga Hoho alleged. According to the Naga body statement, the recent random killings of innocent Nagas including women and school children and NSCN (K) cadres following imposition/extension of Disturb Area Act in the Nagas land defies any logic and thus nullify the aura of August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement that seemingly recognized the established position and aspiration of the Nagas. “Is this the dawn of another era wherein premeditated punitive violent adventure to uproot and obliterate the Naga People is repeated as in the past? Can the Nagas be expected to trust the government of India that it is really and seriously committed to pursue the path of peace?” the Naga Hoho questioned. The Naga people want the government of India to shed its prejudice and demonstrate magnanimity and patience at this juncture of the peace process, it added.
“NSCN (K) as a responsible organization must also abjure the path of violent and continue to search for peace through negotiation,” the statement said while adding, “The Naga people have faith that the NSCN (K) government understands the collective yearning to renew the process of dialogue to give peace a chance. A resistance movement rooted in the principle of democracy and humanity must listen to the voice of conscience of the people it represent and is expected to always prioritize to create space and atmosphere for peace building even in the face of unwarranted provocations and threats.”
Naga Hoho lamented that many precious lives have been lost and the current trend indicates the renewal of a protracted cycle of violence endangering many more innocent Naga people. It stated that every peace loving individual and organizations who believe in democratic values must wholeheartedly intervene and ensure that this senseless violence is stopped as every Naga citizen and their drop of blood is too precious in terms of our sparse population.
