On the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR), June 13, 2024, the Naga Rising (TNR) has expressed gratitude to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) for the tireless effort to end killings and bloodshed among warring Naga armed groups.
TNR acknowledged the FNR’s immense contribution towards peacebuilding during the dark and difficult times when the Naga community was faced with ‘chaos and destruction’.
“The Naga Rising also remembers the vision and the courage demonstrated by the signatories of the CoR who deserve our salute for choosing the path of reconciliation. It Is, however, a fact that the promise and potential of Naga reconciliation has not been fully realized. Who should take the blame for this failure and can we rectify it? We urge every Naga, especially the FNR and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), to sincerely reflect over this issue so that we can move forward,” stated the TNR in a statement.
Opining that Nagas are in a precarious situation where the Ceasefire has created an eco-system of breeding more division and confusion, the TNR stated that unless Nagas stand together in one voice, an honourable solution cannot be expected as it suits the Govt of India to use divisions to control.
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“In our considered view, the time has come to go beyond reconciliation and shift focus to power-sharing. There is an urgent need to build a new narrative from reconciliation to formation of a single national government,” stated the TNR.
It has, therefore, called for a revival of the Naga Concordant that, in principle, has resolved to work towards the formation of one Naga National Government.
Signed on August 26, 2011 by Isak Chishi Swu, Th Muivah, Gen (Retd) Khole Konyak, Kitovi Zhimomi, Brig (Retd) S Singnya and Zhopra Vero, the Naga Concordant aligns with the strong sentiment of the Naga public for ‘One govt one tax’. According to TNR, it will also allow for the convergence of the parallel talks and help in facilitating the signing of a single agreement.
“Time is running out and people are impatient and frustrated with the reconciliation process as it appears to have reached a roadblock, unable to break new ground. Building on what is already in place would require taking some bold decisions,” stated TNR. In this regard, it suggested more public engagement and transparency which will be key.
This will enable, according to TNR, in developing the new approach for the much-needed mandate and support base, which, in turn, will build public pressure in executing the action plan.
