DIMAPUR, JULY 10 (MExN): The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today reiterated that “violence is not the way to reconciliation.” The FNR, in a press statement, called for Naga national groups to “stop all forms of confrontation and violence that may result in any further divisions among Nagas.”

It lamented that the reconciliation process “remains on shaky ground,” and that “not all Naga national groups have been successful in their discussions to agree to an inclusive process whereby all Naga national groups can unitedly pursue the Naga historical and political rights.”

Recognizing that the path to reconciliation has been difficult and “riddled with tribulations,” the FNR stated that the forum’s “integrity and intentions have been questioned, our interventions have been mocked and ridiculed and we have become the convenient ‘punching bag’ for all to throw accusations and blame.”

However, it asserted that “there is no future without forgiveness and reconciliation” and assured that the forum “remains committed to an inclusive and genuine Naga reconciliation of all the Naga national groups.” It pointed out that the “practice of exclusion has no future for the Nagahood,” and cautioned that unless the “will to inclusivity takes precedence Naga future will remain distant.”

Stating that violence “only sows the seed of hate and destruction,” the FNR stated that the Naga public “can no longer remain silent on this matter anymore.” The forum asserted that time has come to take a firm stand in putting an end to factional violence.

FNR urged for all groups to constructively work together in addressing differences and to co-ordinate and co-operate with each other in strengthening the process of Naga reconciliation and unity. It further called for the accommodation of all other Naga national groups who have not been a part of the reconciliation process.

Demanding that the groups uphold the values of human rights and self-determination by overcoming all forms of sectarianism, discrimination and exploitation without territorial demarcation among fellow Nagas, the FNR stressed on the need to forge an inclusive and united vision for the Naga people, to peacefully live together and also with other communities around.

The forum stated that the “existence of the Naga Reconciliation process is dependent on the active support of an alert populace.” As such, it appealed to the people to “make a decisive stand in this critical juncture when the Naga Reconciliation process is in peril of self-destruction.”

In the present context, FNR stated that “it is difficult to realistically and honestly imagine the Naga people realizing their rights without first achieving genuine reconciliation among ourselves.” It added that the Naga Reconciliation is closely intertwined with Naga political rights and historical rights, which it stated has been ensured by “prolonged divisions within the Naga national groups (factions).” The FNR recalled that it was formed at a time when the Naga national movement was facing “deepening fragmentation and the outbreak of internal violence threatened to plunge the entire Naga people into an abyss.”

It added that series of interventions by the forum resulted in “landmark documents where Naga national groups declared they have reconciled on the basis of the historical and political rights in the spirit of forgiveness and acceptance.”

However, it said that inability to implement various agreements and the acts of “factional violence, killings, abductions and self justifications” have proved detrimental to the Naga reconciliation process.