Naga generations too at different moments in its life had to consciously choose the path of its destiny. Once again, history is today calling upon the present generation of Nagas to decide the path of its future.
The task before the present Nagas is to decisively address the question of Naga reconciliation. The manner in which Nagas respond to the question of Naga reconciliation will define the future of the coming Naga generations. Naga reconciliation therefore cannot be taken lightly.
And it is of utmost importance for the present Naga generation to recognize that the manner in which they address the question of Naga reconciliation will define the fate of their children, and their children’s children.
The yearning for Nagas to be reconciled with one another and the necessity to forge unity in purpose for realizing its common objective has reached the pinnacle.
And after years of consistent and sustained initiatives for Naga reconciliation by different Naga civil society organizations, the multiple efforts have reached a crucial stage. The most recent initiative for Naga reconciliation is the one being pursued by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
In its ten months, the Forum has been able to facilitate a number of face to face dialogues between the different Naga groups to discuss issues pertaining to Naga reconciliation. Simultaneously public events involving Naga civil society were held to reinforce and strengthen the reconciliation process by asserting the human element.
The commitment for Naga reconciliation expressed by all the Naga groups must be acknowledged; and their resolve applauded. Yet for the actual realization of Naga reconciliation, it needs more than commitment. It demands renewal that is located in the praxis of the being and the doing.
More decisively it necessitates a clean break from the old politics of conducting Naga affairs, and to begin a new politics in which the aspirations of the Naga rights can be fully realized in contemporary politics. The shift from old politics to new politics is essential because a reconciliation process would insist on the cleansing and renewal process of any entity that seeks transformation.
Decisive politics founded on human values and ethical pragmatism is required to translate the expressed commitment into a genuine and lasting reconciliation for all Nagas.
It was an act of decisiveness on the part of those at Kehoi camp to unconditionally release six members of Hebron camp who were being held under their custody.
This gesture of goodwill and the gratefulness expressed in return will be a landmark in the present reconciliation process and this has created an opportunity to strengthen ongoing communication within the reconciliation process.
The groups involved in the Naga reconciliation process must nurture and build upon this bold act of goodwill; and it needs to be perceived as a good beginning of a new stage in the reconciliation process. Let us hope that this demonstrated spirit of human generosity will be a beacon of light for all those who yearn for Nagas to be one.