Naga Community Unity Effort
Rally support for peace, unification:
Dimapur, Dec 14: Far from the earlier turnout, the rally organized by the Naga Hoho in support of the ongoing peace process and unification, attracted barely two to three hundred people at the City Clock Tower Junction here Friday.
The poor turnout was attributed largely to hectic festive programmes and other engagements.
Scores of those who attended carried banners and placards that read “We Want Peace” and “United We Stand.Divided We Fall” etc.
In his address, Naga Hoho president, Bendangmayang Jamir said that peace will never be found if Nagas do not unite as it would only lead to continuation of suffering for another century.
Bendangmayang reminded all organizations that the hoho has been working in earnest towards unity but lamented that Nagas continue to be divided by administrative umbrellas.
He also welcomed corrections if there has been any mistake in the ongoing process of unification while reiterating the imperative need for unity.
Naga Hoho speaker, H. K. Zhimomi disclosed that the intention of the Naga Hoho was to broaden the unification of all the national workers and appreciate and provide a backing to the ongoing unification move.
While appreciating the positive response of the national workers, he urged people not to misinterpret but to take it as a first step towards the process of the unification of all Nagas.
Speaking on behalf of the Sumi Hoho, its former president and present advisor, Vitokhe clarified that the unification move was not the initiative of the Sumis but “right minded underground organizations” which happened to be within the Sumis.
He said the Western Sumi Hoho only acted as a facilitator. Clarifying allegations that the current process was a “backdoor unification” Vitokhe pointed out that various organizations including the Naga Hoho failed in their efforts to achieve peace while entering through the front door. “So let us not blame backdoor unification because backdoor unification was the only option for Naga unification”, he added.
He said Sumis had resolved not to fight because Naga people always held the view that Nagas would unite if Sumis first unite and expressed hope that other tribes will follow suit.
Also speaking at the function, Eastern Naga People’s Unit Dimapur (ENPUD) president, Henuh said that the Nagas must go ahead with unification unitedly. Clearly stating that the ENUPD supported the unity, he urged the gathering to leave all isms.
Representatives from NPMHR, NMA, Joint forum of GBs & DBs and Naga Council also spoke on the occasion in support of the unification process.
Meanwhile, the GPRN/NSCN has said that as much as Naga political aspiration was concerned, unification had always been the primary requisite and one that had been echoed by a cross section of societies including Government of India, International Organs and civil societies, Naga public and NGOs, over the years.
Maintaining that the ongoing Naga unification move was, not an outcome of sudden particular phenomenon but a co-related political prerogative, a press release purportedly issued by the publicity cell, GPRN/NSCN, also said the November 23, 2007, unification declaration at Hovishe village was definitely a historical landmark and a step ahead towards ultimate political solution.
It said unification of Nagas had not only evolved a significant elevation of Naga’s political status but also set a precedence for the Government of India to prioritize the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue.
“The legitimacy of the ongoing truce between the GoI and NSCN groups, one led by Isak Swu and the other by SS Khaplang should not be jeopardized by any anti-peace elements and the GoI must honor the agreement,” the release said.
It also said the Naga unification was aimed at putting an end to bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst Nagas and therefore, any individual, group, organization or community that went against the same spirit would be committing a “grave historical and political calamity.”
The release further stated that since the partition of Nagas into several groups and factions, Nagas had been insisting on prior unification of the Sumis on the ground that Sumis comprises the majority in all the groups.
“The Sumis has today proved their worth so as to pave the way for unification of all the Nagas, thus the question of any backdoor or clandestine affair on communal lines does not arise at all,” the release added.
NSCN(K) reacts
Reacting to various press statements issued by the MIP/NSCN(I-M) and one by its vice president Khodao Yanthan, on the recent unification move, the NSCN (K) has alleged that these statements were not written by the “so-called MIP” or Khodao but by some vested interest persons who were against unity and reconciliation groups.
“All the statements are usually written by some subtle Tangkhuls to hoodwink and confuse the Nagas general public. The statements were all fakes and figments of imaginations of some Tangkhuls,” the MIP/NSCN(K) secretary in a press statement said, while advising the public not to be confused and swayed by such “make believes” statements.
The NSCN(K) also said that some “disinterested” persons with ulterior motives have questioned the present unity process by alleging that the move was through the back door and not through proper channel or approval of the appropriate authorities. “Then the question arises, that why no organizations or individuals had initiated the unity process even after shouting for peace and unity for the last more than a decade? And what was wrong if anyone has taken the lead in the move?” NSCN(K) asked. Beckoning one and all to the unity and reconciliation move, the NSCN(K) said all other past differences should be thrashed out across the table.
Pledging to pursue the unity and reconciliation process with renewed strength, whether irrespective of ceasefire or not and the ways and means adopted, the NSCN (K) added “If unity comes at all, half sovereignty is achieved. The next goal will be pursued with united and collective wisdom.” Urging Nagas to beware of fakes and falsehoods, it further said “Let those who oppose the current unity and reconciliation process be cursed creatures. Let the blood of the innocent Nagas that has already been shed be on their heads.”
Source: Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 14: Far from the earlier turnout, the rally organized by the Naga Hoho in support of the ongoing peace process and unification, attracted barely two to three hundred people at the City Clock Tower Junction here Friday.
The poor turnout was attributed largely to hectic festive programmes and other engagements.
Scores of those who attended carried banners and placards that read “We Want Peace” and “United We Stand.Divided We Fall” etc.
In his address, Naga Hoho president, Bendangmayang Jamir said that peace will never be found if Nagas do not unite as it would only lead to continuation of suffering for another century.
Bendangmayang reminded all organizations that the hoho has been working in earnest towards unity but lamented that Nagas continue to be divided by administrative umbrellas.
He also welcomed corrections if there has been any mistake in the ongoing process of unification while reiterating the imperative need for unity.
Naga Hoho speaker, H. K. Zhimomi disclosed that the intention of the Naga Hoho was to broaden the unification of all the national workers and appreciate and provide a backing to the ongoing unification move.
While appreciating the positive response of the national workers, he urged people not to misinterpret but to take it as a first step towards the process of the unification of all Nagas.
Speaking on behalf of the Sumi Hoho, its former president and present advisor, Vitokhe clarified that the unification move was not the initiative of the Sumis but “right minded underground organizations” which happened to be within the Sumis.
He said the Western Sumi Hoho only acted as a facilitator. Clarifying allegations that the current process was a “backdoor unification” Vitokhe pointed out that various organizations including the Naga Hoho failed in their efforts to achieve peace while entering through the front door. “So let us not blame backdoor unification because backdoor unification was the only option for Naga unification”, he added.
He said Sumis had resolved not to fight because Naga people always held the view that Nagas would unite if Sumis first unite and expressed hope that other tribes will follow suit.
Also speaking at the function, Eastern Naga People’s Unit Dimapur (ENPUD) president, Henuh said that the Nagas must go ahead with unification unitedly. Clearly stating that the ENUPD supported the unity, he urged the gathering to leave all isms.
Representatives from NPMHR, NMA, Joint forum of GBs & DBs and Naga Council also spoke on the occasion in support of the unification process.
Meanwhile, the GPRN/NSCN has said that as much as Naga political aspiration was concerned, unification had always been the primary requisite and one that had been echoed by a cross section of societies including Government of India, International Organs and civil societies, Naga public and NGOs, over the years.
Maintaining that the ongoing Naga unification move was, not an outcome of sudden particular phenomenon but a co-related political prerogative, a press release purportedly issued by the publicity cell, GPRN/NSCN, also said the November 23, 2007, unification declaration at Hovishe village was definitely a historical landmark and a step ahead towards ultimate political solution.
It said unification of Nagas had not only evolved a significant elevation of Naga’s political status but also set a precedence for the Government of India to prioritize the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue.
“The legitimacy of the ongoing truce between the GoI and NSCN groups, one led by Isak Swu and the other by SS Khaplang should not be jeopardized by any anti-peace elements and the GoI must honor the agreement,” the release said.
It also said the Naga unification was aimed at putting an end to bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst Nagas and therefore, any individual, group, organization or community that went against the same spirit would be committing a “grave historical and political calamity.”
The release further stated that since the partition of Nagas into several groups and factions, Nagas had been insisting on prior unification of the Sumis on the ground that Sumis comprises the majority in all the groups.
“The Sumis has today proved their worth so as to pave the way for unification of all the Nagas, thus the question of any backdoor or clandestine affair on communal lines does not arise at all,” the release added.
NSCN(K) reacts
Reacting to various press statements issued by the MIP/NSCN(I-M) and one by its vice president Khodao Yanthan, on the recent unification move, the NSCN (K) has alleged that these statements were not written by the “so-called MIP” or Khodao but by some vested interest persons who were against unity and reconciliation groups.
“All the statements are usually written by some subtle Tangkhuls to hoodwink and confuse the Nagas general public. The statements were all fakes and figments of imaginations of some Tangkhuls,” the MIP/NSCN(K) secretary in a press statement said, while advising the public not to be confused and swayed by such “make believes” statements.
The NSCN(K) also said that some “disinterested” persons with ulterior motives have questioned the present unity process by alleging that the move was through the back door and not through proper channel or approval of the appropriate authorities. “Then the question arises, that why no organizations or individuals had initiated the unity process even after shouting for peace and unity for the last more than a decade? And what was wrong if anyone has taken the lead in the move?” NSCN(K) asked. Beckoning one and all to the unity and reconciliation move, the NSCN(K) said all other past differences should be thrashed out across the table.
Pledging to pursue the unity and reconciliation process with renewed strength, whether irrespective of ceasefire or not and the ways and means adopted, the NSCN (K) added “If unity comes at all, half sovereignty is achieved. The next goal will be pursued with united and collective wisdom.” Urging Nagas to beware of fakes and falsehoods, it further said “Let those who oppose the current unity and reconciliation process be cursed creatures. Let the blood of the innocent Nagas that has already been shed be on their heads.”
Source: Nagaland Post