Kohima: Expressing concern over the recent developments in Naga underground politics, Forum for Naga Re-conciliation (FNR) today called upon the leaders of various underground groups to respect the general will of the people by remaining committed to the ongoing Naga re-conciliation process.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Naga re-conciliation, FNR in a statement here appealed to the leaders of the groups to show political wisdom and statesmanship by decisively preventing all forms of confrontation.
This was the first public statement from the Forum, which has been working for understanding and re-conciliation among various groups for past three year, after the recent split in NSCN(K) where one group is led by S S Khaplang and other by Khole Konyak and N Kitovi Zhimomi.
"It is our sincere plea to all Naga political groups to address outstanding issues and disagreements in the spirit of love, non-violence, peace, and respect in order to safeguard the Naga historical and political rights," the FNR said.
Expressing concern over this "political turmoil," the FNR regretted that "at a time when Naga people are working towards reconciliation and understanding, we have been confronted with a deepening crisis, which threatens to demoralize the Naga spirit and hope for Naga Re-conciliation: A Journey of Common Hope.
"Stating that "the Naga people are once again vulnerable to further separation," the statement appealed to all the Nagas, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, to actively support the on-going Naga peace and re-conciliation process.
Reaffirming its commitment to work steadfastly towards the reconciliation process initiated by it in 2008, the FNR asserted, "it will refuse to be discouraged by the seemingly overwhelming situation, and neither are we prepared to give in to the principalities of division.
"Rather, the FNR has called upon all Nagas to renew our determination, our commitment and our call for re-conciliation at this juncture," the statement said.
The FNR would work impartially without taking sides and without discrimination of any Naga political group, irrespective of geographical demarcations, by putting the common interest and aspiration of the people at the centre of its activities, the statement maintained.
Following the FNR’s initiative, which was recognized by both the Union and the state governments, killings among various Naga groups drastically came down in Nagaland during the past three years.
PTI
