'Engage through dialogue, Refrain Violence of Words'

October 18, 2020

As a keen watch-person remains alert and farsighted, the time has alerted every citizen, Nagas and others, to hope for genuine justpeace and renewal to the pursuit of human flourishing within and without our land.

In such a time, it becomes equally imperative that all Naga Political Groups, tribal organizations, civil society organizations and the Church to retrospect the past as much as to move forward by reinventing imaginative new models of constructive nationalism, based on Naga history and political rights, through non-violence, peace and understanding.

Towards this goal, the signatories of the “Covenant of Reconciliation” have agreed on numerous joint statements for a non-violent peaceful resolution until the consummation of the Naga political process and thereafter.

Along the way, CoR signatories have agreed to detest and reject in toto, provocative and idolatry of words that injure and hurt others realizing that violence of guns is not the only weapon of conflict but also the violence of words in all forms of media (paraphrase). All outstanding differences among the signatories need to be addressed through mutual respect and dialogue.

While the public acknowledges that Naga Political Groups exist within their boundaries, this must never hold back the need to embrace Naga belonging through nonviolence and peace.

At this crucial time, when the inhabitants of our land await with much hope, one’s insensitivity can be damaging to the process. Human foible is critical of everybody except own self. While one remains lenient towards the self, let us also be slow to judge others.

At this moment, our Naga national political leaders and tribal and civil society organizations need to set and practice “tone at the top” by reflecting in each one’s personal conduct—a commitment to integrity and ethics. The present situation needs the leaders to reach out to one another and provide healing leadership and solidarity.

Forum for Naga Reconciliation will remain committed to the mandate assigned by “47 Naga Tribal Organizations, Church and other related bodies . . . . . . (to) Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope, on September 24, 2008, at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur.

Forum for Naga Reconciliation