Nagaland students, teachers appeal for peace, harmony

Teachers and students in Nagaland have expressed their concern over the increase in factional clashes, and appealed for peace and harmony.

By Vibou Ganguly

Kohima, May 14 : Teachers and students in Nagaland have expressed their concern over the increase in factional clashes, and appealed for peace and harmony.

Their reaction came in the wake of a recent shootout near a school in Dimapur, in which students were caught in a crossfire.

"This kind of activity gives encouragement to young minds. I would appeal to our brethren to think good of the students. They should encourage them to come up in a good spirit, be good citizens of our country and of our state," said Rita, the headmistress of St. Joseph's School in Chumukedima in Dimapur District.

Marsha, a student in the school said, "I hope such incidents never happen again."

Toshimongba, another student, said, "To live in harmony, we need peace. So we must love each other. We must also consider each other as human beings. So, we must not kill each other."

Nagaland has been struggling to maintain peace since the beginning of the peace process in 1997.

The two main groups -- the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (U) have been engaged in fratricidal killings to establish their respective authority over the region.

Interestingly, the NSCN (IM) is engaged in peace talks with the Central Government and is not supposed to take up arms during the ceasefire arrangement worked out between the two.

"The best way of sorting out such differences are by negotiation, discussions and by sharing, by forbearing and forgiving. In a time when the whole world is so much after peace, it is very surprising and unfortunate that we continue to have these kind of clashes," said Chubatemjen Ao, Secretary General of the Nagaland People's Front.

The recent spate of killings started with the unification bid by some Naga tribes, which the NSCN (IM) thinks is aimed at curtailing its dominance of aga areas.

"I have found that public opinion whatever, public reaction is much bigger than the factions. In regards with the Naga national movements, because without the support of the Naga public, no faction can stand firmly or no faction can bring solution," said T.Sh�ya, public leader, Chumukedima Town, Dimapur.

With the Nagaland Government virtually failing to contain factional violence in the State, especially in Dimapur and Kohima Districts, several villages in Dimapur have sent out a strong message to the factions that they would not tolerate such acts of violence.

Three villages in the Diphupar area of Dimapur, which have been largely hit by the factional clashes, have resolved not to tolerate or extend cooperation to any faction that is camped in and around the area.

ANI