Forum for Naga Reconciliation

The Forum for Naga Reconciliation was formed in 2008[1] after the Naga Peace Convention organised by the Naga Shisha Hoho in Dimapur. At the start, it had 14 members. Wati Aier is the founding-convenor for the association.[2] It has emerged as a major force in the Indo-Naga peace process outside the negotiation room between the Indian state and Naga nationalist groups.[3]

Foundation

On 24 February 2008, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) was formed in principle.[2] It was one of the outcomes of the three-day Naga Peace Convention in Dimapur organised by Shisha Hoho, a Christian prayer group. Few had responded to the call and the convention was scantily attended.[4] FNR was formally inaugurated at Kohima on 25 March 2008 with the support of 39 Naga organisations along with the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and Council of Naga Baptist Churches.[2] It also had the support from members of Society of friends and American Baptist Churches USA. The forum sought to reconcile various Naga armed groups on the basis of the historical and political rights of the Nagas.[1] Though some of its members are Christians associated with church institutions, it is not a church organisation.[5]

It then had the support of several Naga organisations such as the Naga Hoho, Eastern Naga People's Organisation, Eastern Naga Students Federation, Eastern Naga Students Association, GBs and DBs Federation Nagaland, Naga Women's Union, Manipur, United Naga Council Manipur, All Naga Students Association Manipur, Naga Mothers' Association, Naga Students' Federation, Naga People's Movement For Human Rights, office bearers of the Naga Shisha Hoho, and speakers of the Naga Peace Convention.[6]

Indo-Naga Peace efforts

FNR was formed at the peak of violence between various factions of the Naga armed groups, suspicious, distrust, and divisive political rhetoric.[2] It has facilitated various agreements between the Naga armed groups. At various points, independent observers, government bureaucrats, as well as the Indian security establishment have admitted that inter-factional killings among the Naga nationalist groups have reduced due to FNR's efforts.[7]

In January 2019, FNR called for re-imagining of the Naga peace process keeping people and their aspirations at its core. Therefore, it appealed for a multi-dimensional approach with active participation of all stakeholders. FNR believed that this will strengthen "the process and open up possibilities for transparency, accountability, credibility, and integrity, making it viable and responsive." It asserted that the present deadlock in the peace process stems from lack of reconciliation essential for historical and political transformation.[5]

In December 2020, FNR further appealed for "honest discussion, truth speaking, healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation" to be embedded in the peace process. Analysing the Indian state agenda of creating divisions amongst the Nagas during the Indo-Naga peace talks, it stated

[The] trauma and wounds are still raw and sensitive, provoking the worst out of each other. It, therefore, is not surprising that the Indian state and its agencies with guile and statecraft have actively steered the statehood narrative intensifying division and simultaneously normalising complacency and conformity among the Naga populace. But to what end? A divided Naga house is in nobody’s long-term interest.[8]

Covenant of Reconciliation

On 21 August 2008, representatives from various Naga political groups, tribal organisations, and the church and civil society organisations adopted the 10-point Covenant of Common Hope at the third Naga Peace Summit at Chiang Mai, Thailand. This served as foundation for the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR). FNR was instrumental in facilitating both these covenants between various Naga organisations and groups.[7]

Signed on 13 June 2009, by Isak Chishi Swu, S. S. Khaplang, and S Singnya. The signatories committed before God to offer themselves to Naga Reconciliation and Forgiveness based on the Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas. They resolved to work together in the spirit of love, nonviolence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues among themselves. The Covenant of Reconciliation was instrumental in the cessation of armed confrontation and bloodshed among the Naga Political Groups.[2] It is important to note the Christian context of "covenant" and "reconciliation" used in the process.[3] Part of the covenant reads,

Having been deeply convicted by God’s call in Christ, and the voice of the Naga people, we hereby solemnly commit before God to offer ourselves to Naga Reconciliation and Forgiveness based on the Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas. We resolve to continue to work together in this spirit of love, non-violence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues amongst us.[4]

The covenant was reaffirmed on 18 September 2010.[9] Ever since, FNR has been marking 13 June as a day to renew the covenant.

Ninth Anniversary

In 2018, the ninth anniversary of the covenant was held at the Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo in Duncan Basti, Dimapur. Various members from the Naga insurgent groups attended and affirmed their commitment.[10] Thinuoselie Keyho of the Naga National Council reminded the group that not very long ago the Indian Army thought that the Naga movement could be destroyed in a few weeks or months. On the other hand, the Naga leaders at times questioned how long they could fight the Indian state. They believed that they could do so only for three months. However, Keyho pointed out that even 63 years hence the Indo-Naga conflict goes on. Keyho pointed out that the FNR has still not managed to bring together all Naga nationalist group, inviting them to still push further.[11] Representing the Isac-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), V. Makritsu renewed the organisation's vow, "We reiterate our stand that together we have started, together we shall finish it. NSCN shall never back out from its commitment to it... now is the time of the Nagas [sic] to reassemble under one political roof." C. Singson from the Unification faction of NSCN said, "Leaving aside all the difference as a person, as political leaders with contrasting ideology and principles, we will learn to accept each other through reconciliation and love for the nation (Naga-Land)."[10] Singson commended FNR for bringing a spiritual reawakening to the Naga movement and restoring the "lost consciousness of the people."[11] Though no representative from the Khaplang faction of the NSCN were present, they sent a statement informing their commitment to the covenant.[10]

At the same meeting, two persons who had suffered through the ensuing violence also spoke of their loss, grief, and forgiveness. One of them, Khetoli spoke of her life after her husband was shot dead a decade ago when he was on his way from Dimapur to Zunheboto. She was left with small children to look after. She shared that she had forgiven those who had killed her husband and requested others to forgive people in their lives who had done wrong to them. Visasier Kevichüsa, whose father and uncle were killed similarly within a span of four years, spoke of his life as a child thereafter. The killings shaped, influenced, and changed his family. Through his experience, he learnt that to forgive meant everything and it was the way of Christ who he follows. Today, Kevichüsa is a Baptist pastor.[11]

Tenth Anniversary

On 13 June 2019, FNR marked ten years since the signing of the covenant with an appeal that churches in all Naga areas ring their bells and chimes at noon for 60 seconds.[12]

Recover, Restore, and Decolonise

FNR, along with anthropologists Dolly Kikon and Arkotong Longkumer, initiated dialogues with Pitt Rivers Museum to collaborate on the possible repatriation of Naga ancestral remains housed in the museum. During the British colonial era, Naga human remains were taken from the Naga areas and today is housed in various museums across Europe and in private collections.[13]

References
  1. "Co-founder & managing director of daily newspaper in Nagaland – Peacebuilder Online". emu.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  2. "Naga Reconciliation – A Public Statement". The Morung Express. 24 September 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. Baruah, Sanjib (2020). In the Name of the Nation: India and its Northeast. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN 9781503610705.
  4. Kevichüsa, Kethoser (Aniu) (2013). "Tribal Conflicts in India: The Case of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation". In Schreiter, Robert; Jørgensen, Knud (eds.). Mission as Ministry of Reconciliation. Oxford: Regnum Books International. pp. 301–308. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1ddcpgx.32. ISBN 9781506476544.
  5. News, Ne Now (2019-01-14). "Nagaland: FNR calls for 're-imagining' Naga peace process". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 2022-01-25. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. Ganguly, Vibou (28 March 2008). "Forum for Naga Reconciliation formed". One India. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. Longkumer, Along (August 2020). "Towards an Indo-Naga peace agreement". Seminar. 732.
  8. "Indo-Naga talks: Avoid politicking, says Forum for Naga Reconciliation - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  9. "World Baptists commend Naga Reconciliation". MorungExpress. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  10. "Naga groups reaffirm commitment to reconciliation - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  11. "FNR commemorates 9th year of Covenant of Reconciliation". Nagaland Page. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  12. "Naga groups committed to reconciliation: FNR". The Hindu. PTI. 2012-11-04. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-01-25.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. Talilula (2023-07-03), "No Rest for our Ancestors in Museums", Death and Dying in Northeast India (1 ed.), London: Routledge India, pp. 146–161, doi:10.4324/9781003406693-11, ISBN 978-1-003-40669-3, retrieved 2023-08-15
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