DIMAPUR: Naga civil society organisations are upbeat on the Lenten Agreement of the three major Naga underground groups.
The Naga Hoho, the Naga Mothers Association (NMA), the Business Association of Nagas (BAN), the Naga Council, the Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union and various other frontal bodies have lauded the effort of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the willing spirit of the Naga underground bodies to come under one roof.
On March 28, the NSCN-IM, the NNC/FGN and NSCN-Khole/Kitovi had signed the Lenten Agreement (the season of Good Friday and Easter) in Dimapur with the FNR faciliating the event.
A big feature of the Lenten Agreement has been to form ‘Naga National Government (NNG)’. In the event of the formation of NNG there all the Naga underground organisations will be merged into a single outfit.
Though the NSCN group headed by SS Khaplang is yet to join the FNR programme, Dr Wati Aier, the convenor of the FNR had expressed optimistic that the group would join soon. Dr Wati Aier said the FNR members are keeping in touch with SS Khaplang.
Meanwhile, the Lenten Agreement has heralded a new chapter in the history of Naga reconciliation. The Naga Hoho terms the development as historic, long awaited and aspired by the common Nagas.
“We urge all Nagas to positively contribute towards this process and further urge the entire Naga political groups to participate in the reconciliation process as envisaged and called for in the agreement,” the Naga Hoho urged.
It also requested Naga underground groups to uphold the agreement in letter and spirit.
The Naga Mothers Association (NMA) has expressed hope that this will translate into action towards Naga reconciliation. It also stated that the courage for putting forward something significant and inspirational progress, which offers prospect of hope.
Naga National Government (NNG) is the ‘ Naga Concordant’ signed few years ago and in Thursday’s meeting these Naga groups have agreed in principle to the formation of the NNG.
In the March 28 meet, NSCN-IM was led by Chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Th Muivah, the NSCN-KK was led by president Khole Konyak and general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi, while the NNC/FGN was led by vice-president Zhopra Vero. (NNN)
