Tuesday, March 10, 2009

One Dream, One Voice, One Future

Dimapur | March 9: The Naga Consultative Meet with Overseas Nagas held at Kohima, March 5-7, has resolved that it is “high time for Nagas to think past our differences and work together under one transformative vision of “one dream, one voice, one future”. As mentioned earlier, the three-day meet, described as “comprehensive deliberations” in the context of “today’s political realities and after honest exchange of views”, came out with a six-point resolution.

A copy of the final resolutions received here emphasized the imperative to find a common ground that will enable the Nagas to arrive at a “realistic position that is also honorable and acceptable to the Nagas, as well as to India, and which, therefore, will be workable”.

For this reason, the resolution said, the need for dialogue between the “Naga national workers” cannot be undermined. “In view of this reality, the urgent need to provide the right space and time for the national workers to sit down and thrash out their differences and find a common voice cannot be overstated”, said the statement. It was affirmed that the efforts of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and its positive results be appreciated and fully supported by all, for the tasks still ahead.

Besides the clarion for “one dream, one voice, one future”, it was resolved that a common Naga platform, “independent and truly inclusive of all Nagas, be constituted to facilitate the pursuance of the proposals and recommendations made at this Meet, and for negotiating with one Naga voice with India”. The chief minister’s proposal for a peaceful negotiated settlement should be endorsed by all segments of the Naga society, the convention said. The convention also appealed to the Naga groups for cessation of all forms of hostilities, starting with ‘Nagas killing Nagas’, with immediate effect, so that the cry of the people for a peaceful solution, may be achieved.

“The Naga national groups themselves know that their people are tired of their disunity, which has resulted in an intolerable climate due to intimidation, extortions and killings” the resolution said. The convention also said that the Naga people recognized the sufferings of fellow “eastern” Nagas in Burma (Myanmar), and will work toward their recognition with a definite territory for an all round development – social, political, economic and cultural.

According to the drafting committee, six recommendations were also made. They included setting up a center for peace under the Forum for Naga Reconciliation which will provide professional resources for healing processes for the “national” groups and the society at large; social and community activities among the “national” workers and tribes would also be organized. It also recommended that a “think-tank” be set up composed of intellectuals and community leaders that are gender and age inclusive for production and circulation of knowledge about the people especially having to do with nation-building. The convention further recommended a day of self-introspection and prayer by all tribes for reconciliation and unity of the Nagas. A one-day workshop may be conducted for Naga civil society, it recommended.

The convention also recommended that the “national” groups be given space to work out their differences, find a common ground and restore their relationships with one another for the sake of the needed settlement. Lastly, “all Naga tribes rise above “inclinations” towards particular national groups to facilitate a common level playing field without the legacy of the divisive past” the convention said.

The Naga convention also expressed appreciation to the church and civil society for all they have done over the years to keep the Naga family together and for helping bring the “different Naga national groups to meet, discuss, and join in a process of finding a common ground that will enable the Nagas to arrive at a realistic position…”

The efforts of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) in calling the convention is appreciated as a timely initiative for “responding realistically to the opportunities at hand for a solution that will consolidate what the Nagas have achieved so far, and which may become the basis for Nagas to build a better future”.

“This NCM has revealed once more the deep anguish of the Nagas that the priceless historic political legacy achieved by the national workers over half a century of heroic struggle will be lost unless it is consolidated in a spirit of true unity at this stage by all the groups as they work towards an unquestionable, common position for a negotiated settlement with India”, a press note from the convention said. “The people have made it clear again that this will be possible only through reconciliation and mutual understanding for the sake of the greater good of all Nagas” it added.

Source: The Morung Express

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