EMN
Dimapur, December 20
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has appealed to the NSCN(IM) and the other ‘Naga Political Groups (NPGs)’ to grasp the rare opportunity together and take Naga society forward.
The Forum opined that this will require a meeting between the NSCN(IM) and other groups to discuss the terms being negotiated for a settlement.
The hidden dangers and opportunities of the situation will require the other NPGs to respond truthfully and responsibly demonstrating the needed statesmanship at this juncture, FNR in a statement said adding, the response to such transparency shown by the NSCN(IM) will be an indicator of the unanimity by the national workers for the long term good of all Nagas.
FNR urged all groups and individuals not to resort to any kind of provocation or violence, if and when any Agreement might be signed and implemented. This is especially important with respect to NSCN(IM) and the GoI, and all other NPGs, State politicians and officials, the statement said.
The FNR also called upon the churches, tribe Hohos, Naga civil society organizations and all the Naga people to remain alert and vigilant to prevent and oppose all forms of violence. The Forum along with a number of Nagas held a meeting to take stock of the situation following the “Framework Agreement” reached between the NSCN(IM) and the Government of India(GoI) on 3rd August 2015 in Delhi.
For a decade FNR has worked to bring all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) together, as desired by the Nagas, for meaningful reconciliation, with the hope that an honorable political solution acceptable to both Nagas and India would be achieved.
The Forum said, “FNR is humbly grateful to God for the positive response of the NPGs, the support of the Churches, the Hohos and the Public for whatever has resulted from its efforts, especially the dramatic lowering of the level of bloodshed in our society. The decisive shift in the thinking of NPGs showed acknowledgement of the roadmap of change and reconciliation they all know they should take for the benefit of all Nagas. The discernable change demonstrated by the NPGs has given hope to the Nagas.”
Fully conscious of the high promise of the journey thus started, as well as all the perils if it is discontinued, FNR calls upon all Nagas and the NPGs to pause, ponder and make the right response to the challenges confronting us today.
FNR expressed concern that a settlement that may turn out to be the best for the Nagas under today’s circumstances is in real danger of being characterized only as an Indo-NSCN(IM), not an Indo-Naga settlement. “Such an interpretation could give rise to violence. A renewal of conflict will become too heavy a burden for the Naga people to bear after the decades of destructive conflict they have lived through.”
The forum said, it is time for a settlement that Nagas as well as GoI urgently need.
“We should also be aware of both the fearful dangers and the opportunities presented by the process.”
