DIMAPUR, Aug 23 – The top ranking leaders of NSCN-IM, NNC/FGN and NSCN-Khole/Kitovi factions met again here today in order to “strengthen and broaden the peace process based on the uniqueness of Naga history”.
NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah of the NSCN-IM, general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi and its chairman Khole Konyak of the NSCN-Kitovi/Khole group and the NNC/FGN president S Singnya and its vice president Zhopra Vero met today and prayed together.
According to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the leaders of these three erstwhile warring groups met “in the spirit of love, respect and understanding.”
Today’s meeting was preceded by another event that took place on August 20 in Dimapur when these Naga underground leaders had said they had forgiven each other. The Naga underground leaders also had said they “feel sorry” for having hurt each other. The programme was convened by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).
The militant leaders had also stated that they longed for genuine reconciliation among them; and notwithstanding their commitment and support, the path to Naga reconciliation remained arduous due to decades of conflict between them. “Nevertheless, our commitment to Naga reconciliation brought us together on August 20 in Dimapur, in the spirit of openness towards one another and the indispensable necessity of reconciliation for the historical and political cause of the Nagas,” the joint statement of the three erstwhile warring Naga groups said.
“We also take this time to collectively express our sincere apology to the Naga people for all the wrongs we have committed in the course of the Naga struggle,” the statement said.