NPGs Chümoukedima meeting pledge commitment to find common ground

January 15, 2025 2 Views No Comment

•    Agree to implement Council of Naga Cooperation and Relationship
•    Admit shortcomings, agree to become more self-vigilant & accountable
•    Invites all Naga Political Groups and Naga public to join the process

CHÜMOUKEDIMA, JANUARY 15 (MExN): After a long lull, representatives from various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) today made a significant breakthrough towards strengthening reconciliation and agreed to implement the Council of Naga Cooperation and Relationship to move forward in unity. In a meeting facilitated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, led by its Convenor Rev Dr Wati Aier, the NPGs met in Chümoukedima on January 14 to “honestly reason together and explore constructive ways out of the ongoing political impasse.”

A statement entitled ‘January 14, 2025 Treatise’ issued by the representatives of the Naga Political Groups attending the meeting said, “Today, we testify God’s love and faithfulness even in the midst of our failure. Therefore, we pledge, to be steadfast in our collective commitment towards finding common ground.”

In the Treatise, the groups recognized their shortcomings in the pursuit of Naga aspirations. “In the process of pursuing Naga aspirations we have faltered, hurt each other and angered our people through words and actions. We confess these shortcomings before God, to the Naga people, and to our neighbours. Hence, we stand to becoming more self-vigilant, responsible and accountable,” the statement read.

The group also reiterated its commitment to the 2009 Covenant of Reconciliation and vowed to honor the historical and political rights of the Naga people as expressed through the Naga Memorandum to the Simon Commission of 1929, the Declaration of Naga Independence in 1947, and the Naga Voluntary Plebiscite of 1951.

Furthermore, they recognized that the Naga ancestral territories and Peoplehood cuts across all artificial boundaries, and affirmed they will “continue to safeguard and protect these inalienable rights together as a people.”

As an outcome of Tuesday’s meeting, the representatives agreed to implement the “Council of Naga Cooperation and Relationship,” a working mechanism, to move forward in unity. “We sincerely implead and invite all Naga Political Groups and Naga public to be part of this process.”

Signatories of the joint statement include Zhopra Vero, Kedahge, NNC/FGN; Horangse Sangtam, Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN (Reformation); P Puthai Lam, Kilo Kilonser, FGN/NNC and Co-Convenor, WC/NNPGs; B Ating Konyak, Kilonser, NNC/FGN; Victor M Thuu, Kilonser, FGN; Hekhuvi Achumi, Kedallo, FGN; Tsaliba T Sangtam, Ato Kilonser, UNPG/NNC (PB); Selithre Sangtam, Secretary, Brig (Retd) S Singnya led NNC/FGN; A Mhonbemo Tsanglao, NSCN/GPRN (K); S Kiviho Zhimomi, UNPG/NNC (PB); Akaho Zhimomi, NSCN/GPRN (K); Shehoto I Yesca, General Secretary, NNC/GDRN; C Singson, MEL, GPRN/NSCN (U); Alezo Venuh, Ato Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN (U); Col (Retd) Isak Sumi, Ato Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN (K) and Co-Convenor; Kraibo Chawang, NSCN (IM); Hutovi Chishi, Convenor, Steering Committee, NSCN (IM); Rev Puni, NSCN (IM); Sethrichem, NSCN/GPRN (Reformation); Tokishe Sumi, GPRN/NSCN; TV Litsaba, NNC/FGN.