KOHIMA, May 18 ? With the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government forming a peace committee to facilitate the Naga peace process, various Naga underground groups have now stressed on the need for establishing unity and understanding among themselves to find an amicable solution to the vexed political problem, reports PTI. With an aim of uniting the warring underground groups, NSCN (I-M) recently circulated a seven-point formula which laid emphasis on peace and re-conciliation among rival factions, but with certain conditions.
After extension of the ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN (K) last month for another period of one year, Khaplang-led NSCN also called for unity among the Nagas, asserting that any form of settlement to the vexed problem without unity and peace would become a ?nightmare?. Celebrating the 52nd anniversary of ?Naga Plebiscite Day? on May 16 in the presence of representatives of various NGOs, Naga National Council (NNC), which spearheded the Naga political struggle in the mid 1940s, also called for mending of differences among the various groups. They should come together under the banner of ?Naga National Principles?, NNC said.
To facilitate the on-going Naga peace process initiated by the Centre and the reconciliation campaign launched by NGOs and churches, the new coalition government in the state formed a peace committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and a reconciliation committee comprising various NGOs. In a seven-point formula for ?unification? among the groups, NSCN (I-M) felt re-conciliation among various warring Naga groups, including its rival NSCN (K), was imperative for ushering in peace.
The unification formula called for admitting of ?past mistakes? by the groups. The rival groups, representing various Naga tribes, should also seek ?forgiveness? from the ?victims? (of violence) to bring about unity among the rival groups, the NSCN (I-M) formula said asserting that the proposed re-conciliation must strengthen the on-going peace talk process with the Centre.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by NSCN (I-M) information and publicity wing said ?Whoever has committed an offence or a crime against anybody should realise that he or she has done it ... They should seek forgiveness from the victims.? In a recent statement the NSCN (K) said the formation of the State in 1963 was preceded by signing of a 16-point agreement but the pact had sown the ?seed of hatred and divisions? among Nagas. Makers of this pact did not concentrate on peace and unity but ?blindly heeded to an unacceptable solution leading to continuous political conflict till date,? the statement alleged.
?This is why the Nagas should not randomly press for a solution at this juncture but first restore peace and unity among themselves to end the evils of factionalism and achieve the political goals for which they have been struggling for?, the statement said. NSCN (K) leader Kughalu Mulatonu asserted that peace and unity among the Nagas could be termed as ?one form of solution? and without this any form of solution would become a ?nightmare? for the Nagas. The NSCN (K) called upon every individual and organisation to set aside their preferences and take into consideration Naga historical backgrounds.