Naga factions to cease using non-Nagas against Nagas

Dimapur, January 17 : In a significant development in the Naga reconciliation process, the NSCN-IM, NNC/FGN and NSCN-K have signed today a pledge not to use non-Naga armed groups against the Nagas and to refrain from any such intention in all the Naga areas and also wherever the Nagas are.

Emissary to the 'collective leadership' of the NSCN-IM V.S.Atem, FGN representative Alezo and NSCN-K representative 'brigadier' Tokugha Zhimo signed the joint declaration or pledge today at Chakhesang Church in Dimapur today convened by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

Today's development was significant as there was some hicuup in recent times following the re-emergence of factional killing in Kohima district.

"Reconciliation is a dynamic process and while the hope of the Naga people is on reconciliation, we are reminded that God is a God of hope.

What does this hope hope? The answer is, it hopes in all things, and it hopes for everything.

It hopes for all humanity.

God is the God of hope because He has hope for us.

This means, God uses His creatures for His hope to actualize.

Hope born out of the dust, cannot perish in the dust of our everyday.

Born out of resurrection, it cannot be exhausted in the cross of our lives.

Born out of death, it breaks up therefore the iron rings of anxiety and of uselessness," said the statement of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) tonight while adding, "We continue the journey of common hope, from our accustomed ways and habits in order to learn hope.

We want to set out and overrun the boundaries that we may infect life with hope.We commit to let nothing which serves our common future be brought to defeat.

We want to find patience with one another, and give us the courage to practice daily the art of hoping in patience.

For this is our strength and power" .

Meanwhile, the three Naga underground organisations viz, NSCN-IM, FGN and NSCN-K under the banner of 'joint working group' has pledged that in their sincere effort to further strengthen the signing of the 'covenant of hope,' the Joint Working Group (JWG) met on January 15 with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and re-affirmed their commitment to uphold their 'pledge to cease all forms of offensive activities in toto' .

"Towards this commitment, the JWG acknowledges that the use of non Naga armed groups against fellow Nagas is detrimental to the reconciliation process and re-assure our resolve to refrain from any such intentions from all Naga areas and wherever Nagas are," the declaration statement of the three Naga underground groups said.

"In order to effectively maintain and implement our common agreement and understanding in the true spirit of reconciliation a 'peace-line' will be established and maintained henceforth amongst the JWG for addressing any issues of concern directly," the joint statement of NSCN-K, FGN and NSCN-IM assured.