Naga convention adopts four-point commitment for Naga reconciliation

From Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG, Feb 27 : The 10th Naga convention for reconciliation and peace was held at Kohima local ground, for various warring Naga political groups organized by a Forum for Naga Reconciliation under the banner of ‘Let my people go’. Thousands of hands endorsed the reconciliation and the convention also adopted a four-point statement of commitment for Naga reconciliation.

While disclosing this to media persons after returning from the Naga Convention the Zeliangrong Baudi Tamenglong zone, chairman Damchuilung Kamei said that the convention was well attended from various warring Naga political groups including Naga frontal organizations. Various warring Naga political groups also welcomed the commitment and they shared their views on reconciliation and problems of Nagas, he said.

According to the chairman of Zeliangrong Baudi Tamenglong zone, the statement of commitment adopted in the convention were reconciliation is a praxis of the being and doing, therefore all the Naga people and Naga organizations are urged to genuinely and honest implement the values of reconciliation; secondly, reconciliation is about renewal and enable healing at all levels of society which must take place at the highest level of all Naga political groups on the basis of historical and political rights of the Nagas.

Further, the statement also said that the human search for solution and the human need for reconciliation are simultaneous processes and therefore, political process that seeks to realize and exercise Naga rights must be inclusive in nature and the realization of Naga reconciliation will hasten the will of the people. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Naga to sensibly respond and demonstrate the active solidarity and participation for Naga reconciliation, the statement of commitment stated.

During the convention, solidarity messages from American Baptist Convention, Baptist International Alliance, Baptist International Ministry and former US president, Jimmy Carter were also read out, the source said.

The prominent leaders of Quakers groups from Britain, Naga Hoho, Nagaland Baptist Church Council, United Naga Council, Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) and Zeliangrong Baudi Tamenglong zone, Zeliangrong Meipui Baudi Tamenglong, Naga Council Dimapur and other leaders attended the convention, the source added.

SDSA to petition

Taking serious note of the deplorable conditions of certain stretch of NH-39, which are looked after by the 15 BRTF, the Senapati District Students' Association has decided to take their case to the Director General of BRTF at New Delhi.

Officials of 15 BRTF, stationed at Kohima however refuted the allegations of the student body maintaining that the improvement work of NH-39 on the Maram-Mao stretch is progressing smoothly.

SDSA president Peter Kuba said that the Maram-Mao portion of NH-39 has been in a deplorable state for years and added that the work taken up by the BRTF is not satisfactory.

"Our representatives will head for New Delhi either on January 16 or 17 and submit a representation to the DG of BRTF as well as to the Ministry concerned to speed up the improvement work," said the student leader.

If nothing positive comes then SDSA will launch a series of agitation, warned the student leader.

A senior officer of the 15 BRTF, while rejecting the allegation said, "Along the said stretch we have constructed 30 large culverts and all necessary machinery including hot mixed plant are operating.

Besides completing road correction work for 5 Kms we have also completed black topping a kilometre stretch" .