A big round of applause resounded the DDSC stadium Saturday when Q. Tuccu, Joint Working Group (JWG) member representing NSCN (I-M) pointing to Zhopra Vero, NNC\/FGN and C. Singson, GPRN\/NSCN vowed they will no longer fight among themselves. The applause grew louder when the two leaders also nodded their heads in agreement.\n\u201cReconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope\u201d being held under the theme \u201cAll for one,\u201d and initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and JWG covered another milestone with people from different strata of society including non-Naga communities attending the reconciliation programme at DDSC Stadium Dimapur, Saturday.
\nNSCN (I-M) steering committee, executive member, Q. Tuccu and also JWG member, in his speech said Nagas who were initially under one umbrella \u2013 NNC- became fragmented when the \u201cenemies\/satan\u201d conspired and brought about killings among Nagas. He vowed that Naga national workers would no longer allow \u201cenemies\/satan\u201d to come in between and asked his counterparts from NNC\/FGN and GPRN\/NSCN whether they agreed with him. After receiving their positive response, Tuccu went on to say that none can stop them if they spoke in one voice. He said only satan would oppose reconciliation.
\nHe further urged upon every political group to refrain from issuing \u2018negative\u2019 press statements against each other. Admitting that the Naga political talks was one of the \u201clongest talks\u201d Tuccu added the NSCN (I-M), as people\u2019s government would listen to the voice of the people.
\nAffirming that many Nagas were rallying behind the FNR on its mission for reconciliation, Tuccu also made a fervent appeal to the FNR members not to allow differences to creep in among them. Describing \u201cULFA, PLA and other revolutionary groups\u201d as \u201croadblocks,\u201d Tuccu urged the FNR to beware of such roadblocks.
\nHe also expressed the desire of the political groups to let the three signatories of the \u201cCovenant of Reconciliation\u201d meet soon.
\nNNC\/FGN vice president (kedallo) Zhopra Vero admitted that though his group was initially \u201chesitant, weary and doubtful\u201d when the FNR first brought up the issue of reconciliation, but gradually began to engage in constructive dialogue harmoniously once the process started. \u201cOur attitude towards each other changed and softened.Emotional healings began and we are starting to see each other from a completely different perspective,\u201d he said adding that the benefits were now being seen.
\nMaintaining that reconciliation was possible only if people forgave one another, Vero, however, said reconciliation based on forgiveness might not really last if they held on to different political stands. He said the NNC\/FGN stood along the lines of the recent statements of NSCN (I-M) and GPRN\/NSCN on Naga sovereignty.
\nVero pointed out that the \u201cover burden of taxation\u201d was an issue of social concern which might prove to be a hurdle for rallying public support for a greater cause. \u201cThe desire of our people is one government, one tax,\u201d he claimed.
\nHe affirmed that the NNC\/FGN would not compromise or betray the yearning desire of the people and hoped that other political groups would do likewise.
\nGPRN\/NSCN \u2018kilonser\u2019 C. Singson said the desire for Naga unity and reconciliation was no more a murmur behind closed doors . He said it was clear that reconciliation and unity of the Nagas preceded any solution to \u201cIndo-Naga-Burma\u201d political problem.
\n\u201cAt this hour, a faction\u2019s claim to be having the mandate of the Naga people is uncalled for since it goes against the very spirit of reconciliation,\u201d he asserted. Singson put forward GPRN\/NSCN\u2019s suggestion that the various groups should first seek emotional integration before proceeding on to physical integration. He reiterated the GPRN\/NSCN\u2019s stand that obsolete dialogue with the government of India by a single group should immediately be stopped as it did not serve the purpose.
\n\u201cPartaking in the Naga reconciliation and unity process on one hand and seeking piecemeal solution on the other, is a breach of people\u2019s trust,\u201d he said. Singson said that people\u2019s will backed by common approach only would achieve a desired political solution. He acknowledged that FNR and its associates have brought warring Naga brothers closer than at any other point of time. He reaffirmed the commitment of the GPRN\/NSCN to the \u201cCovenant of Reconciliation.\u201d
\nEarlier, in his key note address, FNR convener, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier said \u201cReconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope\u201d has been sanctified by the signatories of the \u201cCovenant of Reconciliation\u201d and that the hope of the Nagas was built on \u201cthis solid rock.\u201d He said the leaders have attested to their commitment time and again. Wati said the \u201cseemingly three groups\u201d but presented as one have affirmed to \u201cwork together in the spirit of love, non-violence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues among us.\u201d
\nHe said the Journey of Common Hope of the Nagas has reached that destination where the parties of the three political groups must travel together towards the next station of political talks with the government of India.
\nAddressing a large turnout, Wati said the FNR would confidently testify to the people, of the commitment of the Naga political groups, to reconciliation in toto. Stating that the Journey was not complete yet but traveling nearer the goal, he called upon the public to exhibit maturity towards the complexity of the situation. The FNR convener pointed out that each Naga political group has their unspoken inherent difficult task in front of them. \u201cCoupled with this, the makings of our common humanity and common political identity must be upheld and insured,\u201d he added.
\nWati said it was the responsibility of the Naga political groups to provide and protect the rights of all its citizens, without burdening the average men and women and the business community, by all means within their authority. He said it was also the responsibility of Naga political groups to make authorities adequate and principled. And it is the responsibility of all citizens in all sections to respect the rights of all others and to respect the one Naga nationhood under our leaders, he said.
\nHe said the Nagas needed a grand vision of \u2018Nagahood\u2019 inspired by God\u2019s Spirit and love of the nation and that the quality and spirit of nationalism must be supported and justified by the people.
\nWait said that \u201cself\u201d restrain – a priceless spiritual and ethical strength, of the Naga national workers has led to an emergence of \u201cparty\u201d restrain. He appreciated the Naga political groups for such efforts.
\n\u201cLet us no longer respect boundaries, but only that which opens boundaries,\u201d he said.
\nThe FNR convener said that the Naga people must exercise the individual rights of mandating their Naga political leaders to \u201cbuild the Naga house\u201d under their design but securely founded on the historical and political rights of the Nagas.
\nChandu Agarwal spoke on behalf of non-Naga communities of Dimapur. Special numbers were presented by Lotha Baptist Church, Dimapur, Sumi Baptist Church Youth Choir, Purana Bazar, Oriental Theological Seminary Choir and kids for fame winner, Ashuni Liruna Mao.
\nFNR members Rev Phughoto and Rev V. K. Nuh initiated a mass prayer and benediction for the various Naga underground groups.
\nSaturday\u2019s programme was organized by the Naga Council Dimapur and chaired by its president, Savi Liegise while general secretary, Ntsemo Ngullie proposed the vote of thanks.
\nVarious tribal hohos, school children, non-Naga communities etc attended the programme. Business establishments were also closed for two hours from 10 a.m to 12 noon so as to attend the programme.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"