Correspondent
KOHIMA, JAN 11 (NPN): With the aim of fostering unity among various Naga political groups at this crucial time, the Angami Public Organisation (APO) held a consultative meet with all the Angami “national workers” at APO Hall Kohima on Monday.
The meeting was attended by members of NNC, NSCN (R), GPRN/NSCN and NSCN (I-M).
Addressing the concerns of the Angami public, APO president Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi affirmed that through the consultative meet “we ask you to help us understand your plans and visions for the Naga people. We want to hear your concerns and thoughts.”
Appreciating the efforts of the “national workers”, Dr. Seleyi thanked the members present for their time and sacrifices they have committed for the cause of a Naga nation. “We have been blessed by our identity as an Angami,” he said.
APO advisory board member Niketu Iralu, in his address, stressed on the importance of tracing back the significance of the Naga history through the memorandum sent to the Simon Commission in 1929. Iralu reminded how outsiders recognized the legal historical foundation of the Naga national movement. He said “we need to respect and acknowledge the sacrifices made for the Naga nation.”
Niketu Iralu further said “today we need to tell this generation what the elders have achieved, sacrificed and fought for.”
He reminded that through the achievements of the past, the identity as a people and a nation was made clear. Niketu challenged the gathering that “we need to give national assessment to the younger generation” and also to focus more on implementation of the settlement.
Expressing his opinion, noted peace activist said it was unfair that the detail of the ‘framework agreement’ has not been revealed. He said that “we must assert that the agreement does not weaken the Naga historical foundation.”
Further, he called for committing “ourselves not to use violence and bloodshed in this settlement, but in the true spirit of humanity “we should stand firm”.
Reminding that violence, act of terror and fear was alien to the Naga culture, Niketu said something positive will emerge “if we stand firm in our commitment.”
In his address, APO advisory board member Vipralhou Kesiezie said “we have wasted so many years in conflict and suffered so much under the oppression of the Indian Army.” However, he added that in recent times “we have come across conflicts and misunderstanding within ourselves.” He recalled that there were so many scars and hurts that have been imprinted within us. However, he said the moment has “come for us to rebuild relationship and understanding.”
Kesiezie said “we have been given another chance” to rebuild again, to settle the Naga issue through dialogue and understanding with forgiving one another.
Asserting that “we need to believe and trust one another”, he said Nagas have reached fifty sixty years anger and hurt, now “we must build peace.”
Speaking on behalf of the NNC, “Gen” Thinoselie Keyho shared about the history of the Naga national movement and how factionalism emerged out of Shillong Accord.
He said all that “we have sacrificed will come to nothing if there is no understanding and reconciliation.”
Keyho said they have done their part and now the concern was for the younger generation. He also stressed the need to analyze where “we have gone wrong and what mistakes we have committed.”
Zhavilhou a representative of NNC in his address said “our aspiration is one and should work for the unity of all factions.”
Zeneituo from NSCN (I-M) expressed disappointment over Angami leaders who showed so much apprehension over the Framework agreement.
He reminded that the “Framework agreement” was based on the negotiation between two entities — the Nagas and the Indian government — as equals and secondly shared sovereignty based on Naga aspirations. He also likened “Framework Agreement” to the frames of a window.
GPRN/NSCN Neimhalie urged all to believe in one nation of the Nagas. He expressed disappointment that there was “disunity among ourselves.” He said “we cannot leave aside the rest of the Nagas in other areas” adding one must take the lead to build unity again.
NSCN (R) “major” M.K Angami in his address said their “government is a new government” with the motto “peace and non-violence”.
Meeting adopts 4-point resolution
1. All the Naga national workers present in Angami jurisdiction will maintain peace and tranquillity, upholding brotherhood for the interest of the people.
2. Naga national group will not involve in confrontation, conflict and bloodshed in Angami jurisdiction.
3. If any solution is being brought about for the interest of the Angamis and Nagas, the Angamis will have thoughtful understanding and pave the way.
4. Angamis long for peace and need development, thereby national workers must also agree on them.