DIMAPUR, March 28 – “The Church in Nagaland sees that the Naga struggle will destroy itself and the Nagas unless the damaged human relationships that have pitted tribes, factions and parties against one another are addressed, healed and restored,” viewed Rev Kari Longchar, director, peace affairs, Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC), in his paper presentation titled “The Nagas Struggle and Crisis: NBCC’s Position.”
The 3-daylong seminar held here on “Peace and Reconciliation” laid stress on the role of the Church in shaping the thinking, values and living of all Nagas, besides pointing out that the Church should attempt to clarify her position on the moral, spiritual and theological issues raised by the Naga struggle. The paper presented by Rev Kari further stated that the widening ramifications of the Naga crisis that are becoming apparent affect the whole Northeast region, which shows that the Nagas should put their houses in order if they are not to be overwhelmed by developments outside pressing in on them, and the serious weakness of lawlessness, irresponsibility and purposelessness within.
While acknowledging the Naga National Council’s declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947, the Church recognized that the immensely costly political struggle Nagas have had to wage for over half a century, has been to defend their right of choice for self-determination given to them by their history.
Their struggle is not a secessionist, separatist or anti-India struggle. Before the British left, Nagas had made clear they were not part of India, the paper said adding that the Church sees that settlement of the Indo-Naga question has to give full recognition to this unique fact. For the sake of the Nagas of today and tomorrow whose fate hangs in the balance, the Church is undertaking its priestly and prophetic role to do what is long over due, he said and added that the goal of the prayers and thoughts of all Nagas is needed to establish a common level field of transparency, recognition of one another, understanding and compassion, to unlock the doors to forgiveness and reconciliation.
The paper, while acknowledging the current ceasefire and the ongoing talks, said that a new opportunity for a negotiated settlement of the Indo-Naga conflict has been created at immense cost. It further added with all Nagas, the Church holds its considered view that should a settlement be achieved between Delhi and the NSCN-IM alone, leaving out NSCN-K, NNC-Addino, NNC-Merhepf? and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and if it should not be full sovereignty, the worst tendencies in human nature are most likely to be provoked, and a nightmare of suppression and vengeful politics, possibly worse that what Nagas have experienced so far, will descend on the people.
One of the participants in his reaction to Rev Kari’s paper opined that the Church should be involved in peace and reconciliation process and should not be mere spectator. It should keep in mind that it should not be biased or take sides. Others also presented similar views while Niketu Iralu, convenor, Reconciliation Committee, Naga Hoho and member, International Council MRA, pointed out that the Church has certain weaknesses like lack of philosophy of life, which they have to understand and build to tackle the situation of the people. He also said that there is a need of a role model in the Naga society.
Niketu in his in-depth analytical paper on “Reconciliation Through Healing” emphasized that the section of Naga society which tries to bring about reconciliation and healing within the Naga family must not underestimate its need to be pure and clean in its motives in what tires to do.“He impressed upon that if we are to have reconciliation, peace, unity, stability and development, we have to accept to pay the price, and the price according to him is “costly transparency” which means being simply honest without any explanation or justification. “Reconciliation will release the spirit and the soul of the Nagas, it has to start with transparency and healing.”
Earlier, during the opening session of the seminar jointly organized by the NBCC and Nagaland Development Outreach, the Naga Hoho, president, M Vero challenged the participants to thoroughly discuss about peace promotion and to participate in the seminar with valuable suggestions.