A section of the elders and citizens in attendance during the meeting with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation in Mokokchung, January 26. (Morung Photos)
Dimapur : The quest for Naga reconciliation as initiated and led by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has reached a turning point with the forum’s members undertaking the arduous task of traveling to various districts to solicit response, advice and feedback of the public.
A five-member team of the forum led by its convener Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and including Rev. Pughoto Aye, Toshi Wungtung, Dr. N Venuh and Nepuni Piku visited Wokha and Mokokchung January 24 and 25th respectively. Separate meetings with apex tribal bodies, student and women leaders of the two districts were held. Public leaders, elders and women of both the Ao and Kyong tribes raised several questions and debated on issues pertaining to the Naga movement and reconciliation.
However, at the end on the day, the forum gained the trust and confidence of the people of the two districts. While extending fullest support to the reconciliation process, Kyong Hoho president Yansethung Jami summed up the opinion of the Kyongs on reconciliation: Nagas are one and that there should be only one Naga “government”. Similarly, outgoing Ao Senden president Temjenkaba who presided over the Mokokchung meeting requested the forum to design a “broad political framework” and present it to the various Naga underground groups.
Both the apex women bodies of the Kyongs (Kyong Eloe Hoho) and Aos (Watsu Mundang) also assured to continually pray for success of the reconciliation movement and that the endeavor of the forum would not go in vain.
In both the meetings, the forum members highlighted its objectives and the importance of people’s involvement in the reconciliation process. “The Naga issue is like a jigsaw puzzle; even a small piece is needed to complete the whole. Likewise everybody’s contribution is needed. Your wisdom, moral and spiritual support towards the reconciliation process is a must,” said Rev. Dr. Wati Aier.
Rev. Wati said the reconciliation move was based on the “historical and political rights of the Nagas” as well as from the Christian perspective. Assuring that there were no strings attached, he said reconciliation did not mean “unification or merger” and that it has no windows or doors.
He further clarified that the role of forum was limited to facilitating the reconciliation process. “Our aim is not to get involved or entangled with status of solution. That is up to the public and national workers. After reconciliation process, political nomenclature will come in which Forum for Naga Reconciliation will not have any role,” the forum’s convener said.
Also, Rev. Pughoto Aye said the Naga public is the ultimate authority to decide on reconciliation, while Toshi Wungtung said the protraction of the Naga issue was destroying the Nagas and that reconciliation was the key to “unlock the difficulties” to Naga unity and solution. “We have to be honest and sincere ourselves while facilitating underground groups to come together,” Dr. Venuh added.
Public leaders and elders of Wokha raised several issues and there was an exchange of ideas among the forum members and public. Nepuni Piku thanked the public for sharing their views and offering valuable insights and suggestions to forum. On January 26 at Mokokchung town, Rev. Wati Aier and Rev. Pughoto Aye also addressed the congregation of Ao Baptist and Sumi Baptist Church respectively.
A five-member team of the forum led by its convener Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and including Rev. Pughoto Aye, Toshi Wungtung, Dr. N Venuh and Nepuni Piku visited Wokha and Mokokchung January 24 and 25th respectively. Separate meetings with apex tribal bodies, student and women leaders of the two districts were held. Public leaders, elders and women of both the Ao and Kyong tribes raised several questions and debated on issues pertaining to the Naga movement and reconciliation.
However, at the end on the day, the forum gained the trust and confidence of the people of the two districts. While extending fullest support to the reconciliation process, Kyong Hoho president Yansethung Jami summed up the opinion of the Kyongs on reconciliation: Nagas are one and that there should be only one Naga “government”. Similarly, outgoing Ao Senden president Temjenkaba who presided over the Mokokchung meeting requested the forum to design a “broad political framework” and present it to the various Naga underground groups.
Both the apex women bodies of the Kyongs (Kyong Eloe Hoho) and Aos (Watsu Mundang) also assured to continually pray for success of the reconciliation movement and that the endeavor of the forum would not go in vain.
In both the meetings, the forum members highlighted its objectives and the importance of people’s involvement in the reconciliation process. “The Naga issue is like a jigsaw puzzle; even a small piece is needed to complete the whole. Likewise everybody’s contribution is needed. Your wisdom, moral and spiritual support towards the reconciliation process is a must,” said Rev. Dr. Wati Aier.
Rev. Wati said the reconciliation move was based on the “historical and political rights of the Nagas” as well as from the Christian perspective. Assuring that there were no strings attached, he said reconciliation did not mean “unification or merger” and that it has no windows or doors.
He further clarified that the role of forum was limited to facilitating the reconciliation process. “Our aim is not to get involved or entangled with status of solution. That is up to the public and national workers. After reconciliation process, political nomenclature will come in which Forum for Naga Reconciliation will not have any role,” the forum’s convener said.
Also, Rev. Pughoto Aye said the Naga public is the ultimate authority to decide on reconciliation, while Toshi Wungtung said the protraction of the Naga issue was destroying the Nagas and that reconciliation was the key to “unlock the difficulties” to Naga unity and solution. “We have to be honest and sincere ourselves while facilitating underground groups to come together,” Dr. Venuh added.
Public leaders and elders of Wokha raised several issues and there was an exchange of ideas among the forum members and public. Nepuni Piku thanked the public for sharing their views and offering valuable insights and suggestions to forum. On January 26 at Mokokchung town, Rev. Wati Aier and Rev. Pughoto Aye also addressed the congregation of Ao Baptist and Sumi Baptist Church respectively.
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