Support pledged to collective leadership of NSCN
Ukhrul rallies for peace, reconciliation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28: Reiterating support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace parleys, endorsing the stand of the Naga Hoho on the issue and upholding resolutions adopted at the 6th Consultative Meet held at Dimapur in 2007 a rally under the theme 'Peace and Reconciliation' was organised at Ukhrul district headquarters today.

The rally also symbolised unwavering support of the people to the vision and commitment of the NSCN for the Nagas' cause being pursued under the collective leadership of Isaac Chisi Swu, Khadao Yanthan and Th Muivah with the participants chanting messages of peace through the Christian ideology of forgiveness and reconciliation.

School kids with their banners for peace at Ukhrul

The rally was jointly organised by social and student bodies like the Tangkhul Frontal Organisation, Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (Tangkhul Students' Union), Tangkhul Shanao Long (Tangkhul Women's League), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (Tangkhul Youth Council) and Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long with the endorsement and coordination of the United naga Council.

A statement issued by the rally co-hosts highlighted that such an initiative had been taken to once again express unreserved support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace initiative in New Delhi and for ushering in peace through political dialogue under the time tested collective leadership of the NSCN.

Maintaining that rally is to convey the people's keen desire for expediting the peace process, the joint statement also urged parties involved in the parleys to vigorously take the peace talk forward for an honourable solution acceptable to either side.

The rally that also aimed at highlighting violent incidents at Dimapur recently, which threatened to conflagrate relationship amongst various Naga tribes into a communal frenzy began simultaneously at around 10.30 am from Dungrei Junction of the town with the other beginning from the Kharasom point and converging at TNL ground where a public meeting was also held.

At the meeting resolutions were adopted for handing over to the Prime Minister of India.

The representation recounting the ceasefire agreement in 1997 and subsequent negotiations of over 60 rounds in the 10 year span conveyed doubt of the people upon the Government's sincerity and commitment in solving the problem besides expressing that lack of tangible progress through the political negotiations had been the root cause for many anti-solution forces to emerge and sabotage the hard earned Indo-Naga peace process.

Moreover, it resolved to demand to the Government of India to have the political will in solving the six decades long Indo-Naga conflict and expedite the political negotiations; urged for stopping divide and rule policy; and reaffirming mandate of the 6th Consultative Meeting of July, 2007. A copy each of the resolution would also be submitted to the Chief Ministers of Manipur and Nagaland.

The public show of support to the indo-naga peace process was filled with calls for sanity and reconciliation in the true Christian principle of forgive and forget. Holding banners reading 'we shall overcome' among other messages of peace the rallyists appealed to civil society organisations to play a pro-active role in promoting peace and tranquillity in the Naga society and to persistently work to achieve the cherished goal of Naga unification.

Out of nearly 10,000 people that took part in it majority belonged to the student community who held banners and placards calling for an honourable solution to the Naga issue, denouncing bloodshed among the Nagas and prevailing upon the Central Government to cease 'divide and rule policy'.

Shops and business establishments, educational institutions and Government offices remained shut throughout the day with vehicular traffic visibly absent.

Meanwhile, interacting with media persons after the rally cum meeting, TNL president Stephen Angkang iterated that it was organised to sustain cordial relationships among the Nagas, stop senseless killing and to work with unison to solve the Naga issue.

Conceding that when clashes between armed groups ensue the people are rendered helpless, Stephen nevertheless expressed that when innocent people get killed fervent appeal to refrain from such action is the only option left to the general public.

He also informed that as the fratricidal killing could not be left alone to the law enforcing agencies to deal with leaders of Naga organisations is being consulted/approached to find a way out.

When asked whether people from the Tangkhul community had been leaving Dimapur (Nagaland) in the wake of violent incidents there, Stephen said Tangkhuls are still staying put at Dimapur even though he informed that there are reports of 'our students unwilling to stay at or head for Dimapur'.