Mokokchung, September 21 (MTNews): The Global Naga Forum through a press note conveyed their highest appreciation to Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) for facilitating the Signing of the Joint Concordant between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) & Working Committee Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and called it “yet another milestone in the Naga People’s struggle for self-determination”.
The forum lauds the FNR for bringing “two seemingly irreconcilable and uncompromising factions” together to sit at the roundtable and even “getting them down to action to agree, commit and resolve to complement rather than work against one another”.
The Forum added that a ‘watershed moment has dawned’ on the Nagas again as the “historic Joint Concordant signed and sealed by Gen (Retd.) V.S Atem, representing the NSCN (IM) and Mr. Alezo Venuh, the Coordinator representing the WC-NNPGs, on 14 September, 2022 in the presence of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation” was witnessed.
“Both the groups have agreed to remain steadfast to the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) of June 13, 2009 and to renew the vows of the Covenant by charting the pathways towards addressing the unresolved issues through peace and respect. Indeed, Respect, which comes through Humility, is the only glue that will cement our permanent bond of brotherhood,” it added.
According to the Forum, this Joint Concordant couldn’t have come at a better time – a period of darkness engulfing the Naga skies, where nothing seemed right and possible.
“The Nagas have proved the world wrong again! We have shattered the myth that Naga people are sorely divided and can never reconcile our differences,” it stated.
The forum believes that the Signing of the Joint Concordant is a “huge and welcome step” at a crucial juncture when Naga society, economy and polity are shredded of any purpose, meaning or direction – by misinformation, propaganda and one-upmanship.
The Forum hopes that the spirit of forgiveness will continue to sweep the hearts and minds of all Naga leaders with fortitude, to say what they mean and mean what they say.
The GNF extended their support towards the “sacred and solemn commitments” made in the Joint Concordant and added that they will leave no stone unturned to contribute its bit in building upon and strengthening the foundation being laid on solid ground.
“We hope and pray that the leaders of NPGs will double up their efforts to make up for the lost years and decades by getting down to action to pave the way for a renewed Naga Nation,” it concluded.