In connection with peace initiative for restoration of normalcy between the Changs and Yimchungrus, a joint meeting was held between the mediators and representatives from Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) and Yimchungru tribal council (YTC) and convener, peace committee ENPO at Nagaland commissioner conference hall on June 29.
The meeting, which discussed at length “various vexing issues” confronting the peace initiative, acknowledged with a note of optimism that a significant progress has been made during the last few months on the peace initiative.
At the meeting, the need for restoration of lasting good neighborly relationship between the Changs and Yimchungrus was also discussed. The meet acknowledged that a time a come for peace settlement but not for confrontation.
They also stressed the need for both communities to embark on the principle of forgive and forget policy recognizing the indispensability of the Changs and Yimchungrus to live as a good brotherly/sisterly neighbors.
On the principle of forgive and forget, the meet agreed that one should be prepared to give and enable to receive. Also, to achieve the goal of lasting peace, one should have the courage of admitting one’s mistake and apologise for it.
One grey area that the meeting faced was related to the contradictory views held by two communities on the issue of boundary between Chendang and Yakor villages.
However, after debate on the issue, the meeting resolved that the mediators would conduct a spot verification inviting all the aggrieved villages to present their own views at a meeting.
After hearing from all the aggrieved villages (Chendang, Yakor, Chendang Saddle and Panso), the mediators would forward their recommendation to the state government for approval. This was resolved with the fill endorsement by both the CKS and YTC.
In this regard, a joint meeting between Kuthur and Tuensang villages under the sponsorship of the mediators would be held.
Further, the meeting resolved that CKS and YTC would move the SIT to complete the investigation on the disappearance of late Hanjila and her daughter at the earliest and no retaliatory action with tribal colours would be resorted as and when the investigation report is completed and ENPO would arrange peace feast on completion of the peace initiative.
At the meeting, CKS agreed to formally extend apology to the YTC on the principle of forgive and forget in regard to the case of late Chipong Yinchunger who was pulled out from the civil hospital Tuensang and lynched by a mob incidentally occurred under Chang jurisdiction.
The same yardstick would be applied in the case of late Thongsomong, late Chingmak, late Chungma, late Chaang who were murdered by unidentified miscreants. Since commission of offences occurred in a particular jurisdiction, it was resolved that the tribe under whose jurisdiction such incidences occurred would extend apology to the tribe of the victims on forgive and forget principle. The same principle would equally apply to those communities whose properties were either destroyed or had undergone physical and mental suffering or had hurt through media.
The meeting minutes, made available to the media, was jointly signed by peace committee convener ENPO Y.P. Chillio, CKS vice president Mongko, YTC vice president Throngso, convener mediator Tali Longkumer, member mediator Sachopra and member mediator Bieu Angami.