The Central Government and leaders of a rebel Naga outfit may have initiated a process of normalisation and peace in remote Nagaland, but the role of civil society groups in this campaign can never be under estimated.
By Vibhou Gangully
Kohima, Aug. 27 : The Central Government and leaders of a rebel Naga outfit may have initiated a process of normalisation and peace in remote Nagaland, but the role of civil society groups in this campaign can never be under estimated.
They have been instrumental in bringing the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah (NSCN) (IM) and the Central Government to the negotiating table.
Ask people like Kari Longchar, N Theyo and Imchatoba Imchen, and they all will tell you that civil society groups carry the aspirations of the Nagas.
L. Kari Longchar, Nagaland Baptist Church Council Peace Director, said: "Through our initiative all the fighting groups, especially in Nagaland, the path to a permanent peace goes. One day, they will come to us to reconcile to be united and whatever mistrust exists will be sorted out."
Imchatoba Imchen, the President of the Naga Students Federation says the interest of the Nagas is a paramount objective of civil society groups.
N Theyo, the Chairman of the Nagaland Peace Centre, says he has been instrumental in persuading the NSCN (IM) rebels to come to a ceasefire agreement with the Centre.
And, it is these efforts that have made the Naga leadership appear more flexible.
The Naga ho ho too has played a great role in espousing the cause of peace.
Keviletuo Kiewhuo, Vice-President of the Naga Hoho, said: "If you look at the present negotiation, we find there lot of flexibility. I think the interpretation is coming to interdependence and federal relationship."
"The idea is to develop and to find permanent peaceful solution in Nagaland," says Theyo.
The sense of alienation that once haunted Nagas sixty years ago is gone. Today, the Nagas are to be seen in all fields-from music to sports and from administration to academics, contributing in a big way to nation building.
ANI