In a statement issued today, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, FNR, the group of respected Naga civil society leaders looking for a bridge to patch up the differences between two groups of Naga underground orgnisations, Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), said the Working Committee of these two underground groups released a joint statement on January 14 titled: “Nagas are Moving Ahead.”
The joint statement lays out the picture as: “With the passage of time, the Nagas are converging to a constructive and realistic action for a shared future. Thanks to the natural law of nature for the gift of Naga convergence. In human history, small happenings have often been the foundation for transformational changes,” the FNR statement said.
The FNR statement further called up all Nagas to be reminded that the concerned Naga political groups (NPGs) signed an agreement on 18 October, 2022, to “Form the Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation led by the Convener of NNPGs and the Chairman of NSCN to explore, at the earliest realistic ways for Nagas to move forward on the basis of Naga historical and political rights.”
It said the above resolution was validated on Saturday, 14 January, 2023, which states: “In affirmation of this position, the NNPGs and the NSCN on this day declare our unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreements, with immediate effect, for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.”
The FNR statement also said with a high definition both the Naga political groups have fervently stated “to the Naga people, we appeal to stand with us to prevent any further division of our shared belonging.”
It said that today, the Naga movement is not only alert but it has grown much more mature. Again, thanks to priceless lessons we are learning from within and without. We have been taught that “managing” any group of living organism by anyone is to invite defeat of oneself.
It also said that in the movement of history there comes the power of context: this is the moment for the Nagas. From the birth of Naga nationhood, the leaders of the Naga national movement rendered their all to keep the Naga story alive and consolidate its forward-looking journey. Today, in a different chapter of a continuing story, the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) by resolving to be in relationship and cooperation have presented a way of moving forward. This is another historical opportunity for the Nagas to reciprocate with a definite affirmation for moving forward.
In conclusion, the FNR statement said that at the recently concluded celebration of 150 years of Christianity among the Nagas, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, in its 10 Point Commitment prophetically resolved: “To work for greater unity and better understanding among the various groups of people through cessation of selfish pursuit and conflicts that divide and damage the historical harmony of the Nagas. To this end, we affirm our shared oneness and resolve to stand in the gap in our collective search for political solution that is non-violent and honorable.”
The FNR statement also said in keeping with working “for greater unity and better understanding” the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) is committed to collaborating on strategic plan with the NPGs and Naga Civil Society as a dynamic process for moving forward.
