DIMAPUR, Mar 21: Naga leaders have strongly voiced for Naga unity and reconciliation. and said without unity and reconciliation the Naga movement will move backward instead of progressing.
Celebrating the 38th Naga Republic Day at Camp Hebron, off Dimapur today, leaders from Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO), Naga leaders from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur stressed on the need to leave aside differences and join hands to achieve “our goal”.
Addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said “Nagas and India” are two separate entities and would “co-exist, share power and respect each other’s history.”
Earlier in his speech, Thuingaleng Muivah dwelt on the history of Naga struggle for dignity. He said that as long as God is with the Nagas “who can go against us”. He then warned that “self destruction” will befall the Nagas “if we forget our Jehovah”.
Vice president of the NSCN-IM, general (Retd) Kholi said that the “present and future” of the Nagas are “safe in the Framework Agreement” that was signed on August 3, 2015 between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM. Kholi said, “Now is the time to build our country consigning our differences to flame”. He then called upon the Nagas and said, “Let us look forward, not backward. The past has gone never to come back. Let us dwell on the present keeping the future in mind”.
Also addressing the mammoth gathering, Naga Hoho president Chuba Ozukum expressed his concern on certain vested interests working against the Naga movement. He also urged various “Naga Political Groups” to reconcile among themselves. A representative of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) strongly voiced for reconciliation and unity. He said the ENPO’s slogan is “Unite ourselves” and “No more killings”.
“Unless we imbibe the teachings of Christ we can never move forward,” the ENPO leader added.
Speaking on the occasion, president of NSF, Subenthung Lotha said “the time has come to know that our disunity is our enemies’ strength.”
He then stressed on the need for unity. Subenthung Lotha aso spoke about the NSF leaders urging the Prime Minister of India and other Central leaders to expedite the Naga peace process. President of the United Naga Council (UNC), Gaidon Kamei said the Nagas in the south will support the Naga peace process “till the end”.
Meanwhile, internationally recognized singer Alobo Naga from Dimapur and his team enthralled the crowd with songs in connection with the Naga people’s struggle for dignity.
Cultural programmes were also staged on the occasion.
Source: The Sangai Express
