Nagaland Chief Minister T.R Zeliang has reiterated that after the signing of the framework agreement between the government of India and the NSC(I-M), the situation today demanded that Nagas sink their differences ,forgive and forget past bitterness and come together for a common goal.
Addressing on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Nagaland Peace Centre at the Heritage, old DC Bungalow, Zeliang referred to Interlocutor R.N. Ravi’s statement that the talk was for the Nagas and not for a particular group. Zeliang said “we should contribute actively to what was best for the Nagas by being part of the process”.
The chief minister urged all Naga Political Groups(NPGs) to come together to strengthen the Naga issue as “we are one and our goal is one”. He said if Nagas don’t come together, then they will not achieve anyting.
He also appealed to all tribal hohos, NGOs, churches, civil societies and common public, to come together and talk with the government of India to resolve the decades-old Naga political problem.
Zeliang recalled the history of the NPC which was constituted after the signing of the first cease fire between the NNC and the government of India in 1964. He said the cease fire came about at the Baptist Church Convention held in Wokha during January 31 to February 2, 1964. He said the Baptist Convention led to the formation of the Naga Peace Mission, consisting of three famous personalities like Jayaprakash Narayan, Rev. Michael Scott and B.P. Chaliha to take forward the objective of signing the cease fire, which was supported by prayers and resolutions of the Baptist Church Convention led by Rev. Longri Ao.
Later the first ceasefire agreement was signed between the government of India and NNC was signed on May 23 1964 at Sakraba village in Phek district though it was formally declared and made effective from September 6, 1964. The Naga Peace Centre was then constituted under the patronage of Jayaprakash Narayan and NBCC to pursue the peace process for a permanent solution in Nagaland.
The cease fire however did not last long enough to produce the desired result when talks broke down and ending in its abrogation in 1969.
“Most of the people gathered here today would not have much personal recollection of those tumultuous years, preceding and following the ceasefire of 1964. Some of us were not yet born, and many of us were too young to know the heads or tails of those events. What we know is basically what we hear from our seniors, or what we read from books, magazines and newspapers,” Zeliang said.
The end of the cease fire led to resurgence of violence and bloodshed in Nagaland. Zeliang said that despite the major setback, the NPC remained committed to the cause of peace in Nagaland continued with the objective of bringing peace in Nagaland with the Naga political movement. NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Z. Keyho said the Nagas’ longing for peace has come a long way but first Nagas need to seek God and find His peace which would lead to the path of peace with each other. Rev.Keyho also stressed on recollection of the pre-peace era when Nagas lived in fear aas their security, identity and dignity as people were stripped off and the civilised world passed by without noticing “our” agony.
He said there can be no peace without trust and to follow the path of sincere dialogue as equals . He said peace cannot be built on threats not at gun point.
He said peace cannot be imposed but has to be embraced as what must be embraced was internal and what was imposed was external. Further Keyho said there was need for internal transformation in the pursuance for peace. He said “true peace comes from God and God alone as “this pseudo peace-like-talks and peace-look-alike invitation will only lead to selfishness and fragmentation”.
On the framework of agreement Keyho said it has become a catch phrase in Naga society but felt that Nagas need to regenerate this phrase contextually into a framework of engagement with the common people.
Earlier NPC chairman N.Theyo in his welcome speech, said the golden jubilee was dedicated to al past and present leaders who have made NPC what it is today. Theyo said the occasion was not only a revisit of the past but to look forward with confidence and hope.
It may be noted, that NPC secretary Lhusi Haralu passed away around midnight Monday in Kohima where she was to attend the golden jubilee of the NPC.