Against the backdrop of reports doing the rounds that Naga solution is expected sooner than later, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), which has been holding a series of interactive programmes within and outside the state to understand how Nagas will respond once a political solution comes about, concluded their programme at New Delhi.
During the programme, FNR said several young scholars expressed apprehensions over the growing trust deficit in Naga society, hatred among tribes, identity politics etc.
“Are we ready for the Framework Agreement”, was a common refrain coming from the public during the interactions with the FNR which was held over three days in the National Capital.
One Naga faculty member of Delhi University, expressed concern over “conflict in a post-settlement era” and requested FNR to do something.
Another Naga academician teaching sociology at Jamia Millia Islamia University wanted that FNR should also “pro-actively work towards solution”.
In one of his responses, FNR convenor Rev. Dr. Wati Aier said that the “key to peace in post-settlement is healing”. He further pointed out that “in some way the FNR was preparing the way for a peaceful settlement”.
“What FNR can do is give a sense of direction in a post-agreement period where confusion and violence may take place. We can help minimize violence if any”, Naga historian and FNR member Dr. Visier Sanyü said of the role that the FNR can play if given the opportunity.
“We must not make what is bad into something worse”, said FNR member and renowned peace activist Niketu Iralu in response to some of the worries and anxieties. “FNR will be responsible to make sure that any agreement is not made worse by violence and killings. Things are already bad so don’t make it worse”, Iralu said.
The president of the Naga Scholars Association (NSA) during the interaction with the FNR pointed out that one of the challenges for the Nagas, as they prepare for a settlement, was to reach out to the neighbours. “We need an initiative to work for peace in the region”, said Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan.
To this, Rev. Wati said that the FNR was planning to meet the Meiteis and Assamese for dialogues and promoting understanding. Another FNR member Somipam Lungleng disclosed that back-channel talks with civil society groups in Manipur had already begun.
Morung Express publisher and FNR member, Dr. Akum Longchari preferred not to use the term settlement. Critical of the way the Government of India was attempting to ‘manage’ the present peace process, Dr. Longchari said that this was being done in order to ‘compromise the people’. He questioned whether the process was designed and guided by Naga aspiration or the other way around.
A senior member of the NSA, Dr. Walunir asserted that the Government of India should deal with the Naga people with more honesty and sincerity.
According to Dr. Walunir, the establishment in Delhi was approaching the Naga issue for their own national security interest. “They have achieved 80% of their objective and Nagas are not aware of it”, he lamented. He was equally critical of the Naga negotiators. “Our leaders talk to our people through newspapers but they talk to their Indian counterpart face to face”.
Giving his mind on the current peace negotiation, FNR member Dr Visier Sanyü said that ‘there will be no solution or settlement but only signing of an agreement’. Pointing out that past ‘agreements’ did not bring about any ‘solution’ but only ‘problem’, nevertheless he ‘expected’ that the coming agreement will be an improvement over past agreements’.
Related to this, a senior member of the Naga Elders Forum Delhi voiced his apprehension about another ‘Shillong Accord’ that may come about once the present talks conclude and termed Naga reconciliation as the need of the hour.
In response, former leader of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and present FNR member Nepuni Piku said that a ‘non-violent peoples movement was needed in a post-settlement era’ and that the FNR was working to bring Naga civil society together in belongingness’.
Another theme that dominated the discussions was on the familiar subject of disunity among the Nagas.
“Because of our fragmentation Nagas do not have a voice”, said another member representing the Naga Elders Forum Delhi. While appreciating that the FNR will continue to work ‘beyond solution’, the member regretted that there was no ‘over-ground voice to bring the Naga Political Groups together’.
During the just concluded visit to Delhi, the FNR team had closed door meetings separately with the 6 Naga National Political Groups and the NSCN (I-M).
Meanwhile following the interaction with Delhi based Naga Scholars Association (NSA) a few areas of convergence were identified by the FNR to work alongside the NSA in the future. They include reconciliation of the different Naga Political Groups, working for peace with neighbours, possible intervention in a post-settlement situation and lastly to create awareness on Naga identity among the youth.
In response NSA members volunteered to initiate its own dialogue with think-tank groups from the neighbouring States since Delhi was where most policy matters are outlined and decided. The NSA members also said that they were playing their part in meeting with the six Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and NSCN (I-M) and exploring ways to bring them together.
FNR member Rosemary Dzüvichü termed the interaction with the NSA as a ‘springboard to many more conversations’ while Dr. Longchari said FNR and NSA complemented each other. Another FNR member Dr. Pangernungba Kechu described the scholars present as the ‘heartbeat of Naga conscience’.
It was agreed in principle to conduct a joint workshop of the FNR and NSA on urgent issues related to the coming peace accord and its aftermath.