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10/06/2010: "BWA endorses Naga peace accord Asian Tribune - Oken Jeet Sandham –"

BWA endorses Naga peace accord Asian Tribune - Oken Jeet Sandham –

Kohima, The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) congratulated the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on the signing of a peace accord between three nationalist groups in the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland on September 18. The three Naga groups are NNC/FGN, the GPRN/NSCN, and the NSCN/GPRN.
For decades, the three groups have been in conflict with each other and with the Indian government over issues of autonomy and sovereignty for Nagaland state and the Naga people. Between 1992 and 2009, more than 2,330 insurgency related fatalities have been recorded in Nagaland. As a result of the longstanding disputes, which date back more than 50 years, exceptionally tight security has been imposed on the state by the Indian government, with multiple checkpoints scattered throughout the state. International visitors require special permits to enter and move around Nagaland.
The FNR comprises several organizations, including Baptist groups, all of which pledged to work to end the conflicts. Wati Aier, principal of the Oriental Theological Seminary in Dimapur and a past vice president of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, one of six regional fellowships of the BWA, was elected interim convener.
"We are greatly encouraged by the recent news coming out of the September Summit in Dimapur," read a letter sent to the FNR by BWA General Secretary Neville Callam and director of Freedom and Justice Raimundo Barreto. "We appreciate the symbolism of this covenant, and the impact it might have among the Naga people. We also understand that any process of reconciliation and healing needs to be nurtured every day. We urge those who signed the covenant to remain committed to this reconciliation as it will make a lasting impact in the lives of their people."
A release from the FNR claimed that the leaders pledged to "end all violence and bloodshed amongst the Nagas." The meetings and the resulting covenant, the release said, were in response to "the deep yearning of the Naga people" and that September 18 "will go down as another 'historic landmark' in the struggle for Naga rights."
The BWA and Baptists have helped to broker several peace meetings in the past, including a meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in June 2008, all of which ended in failure or with breaches of signed agreements. The Covenant of Reconciliation was signed in the city of Dimapur, the main commercial hub of Nagaland.
"We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Naga people for their patience, understanding and support to Naga Reconciliation," the release stated. "We encourage the Naga people to fearlessly speak and work for reconciliation in the spirit of forgiveness. Along with the Naga people we are deeply thankful of the Baptist World Alliance, Quakers and American Baptist Churches USA, for their prayers and for walking with the Nagas in our Journey towards Reconciliation."
There are about 600,000 Baptists in Nagaland, representing approximately 90 percent of ethnic Nagas in the state.
Baptist Church welcomes Naga leaders' meet to end hostilities Dibin Samuel Christian Monitor

(From left) FGN president S. Singnya, NSCN-K general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi and NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah at Ikishe village near Dimapur on Saturday.
(Telegraph picture)
Baptist leaders have welcomed a pledge taken by three major Naga groups to cease all hostilities and strengthen reconciliation in Nagaland.

On September 18, top leaders of three Naga underground groups - NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and NNC/FGN - made a joint declaration at Dimapur to maintain unity and resolve differences by ending all hostilities, including any territorial expansion.

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) hailed the signing of peace accord which was under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

"We are greatly encouraged by the recent news coming out of the September Summit in Dimapur," said BWA General Secretary Neville Callam.

He appreciated the "symbolism of this covenant" and urged those who signed the covenant to "remain committed to this reconciliation as it will make a lasting impact in the lives of their people."

The BWA and Baptists in the past helped to broker several peace meetings and pledged to constantly work to end the conflict which has claimed hundreds of lives.

The Church-led FNR meanwhile in a release said the leaders “patiently listened to each other and emphasized the need for Naga Reconciliation and to end all violence and bloodshed amongst the Nagas.”

Terming it as a ‘historic landmark’ in the struggle for Naga rights, the Forum said it was “encouraged by the positive attitude shown by the leaders” and urged them to continue “displaying wise and courageous leadership for Naga Reconciliation”.

“We encourage the Naga people to fearlessly speak and work for Reconciliation in the spirit of forgiveness," it yrged.

The Forum expressed its gratitude to the Baptist World Alliance, Quakers and American Baptist Churches for their prayers and “for walking with the Nagas in our Journey towards Reconciliation”.

The Sept. 18 meeting was attended by NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah; NSCN-K general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi; brigadier (retd.) S. Singnya, who heads the Naga National Council.

The leaders have affirmed to “offer ourselves to Naga Reconciliation and Forgiveness in the spirit of love, non-violence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues.”

The Nagaland government and the state Cabinet welcomed the decision and expressed appreciation to civil society, the church and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation for their efforts to bring about reconciliation.
‘Nagas Today: An Indigenous Discourse’ morungexpress
Senior Nagaland Minister Dr Shurhozelie during the book release function held at Nagaland House, New Delhi on Thursday.
Dimapur, September 30 (MExN): A new book accentuating the rise of a new, critical Naga generation and the trends of change was released in a ceremony in New Delhi today by Minister for Urban Development Dr. Shurhozelie. The book ‘Nagas Today: An Indigenous Discourse’ contains articles and commentaries from Nagas staying abroad and Nagaland.
Among the 16 contributors to the book are commentator Dr. Abraham Lotha, US-based classical guitar instructor Dr. Ren Merry, educationists Professor Lanunungsang Ao and Dr. Tuisem Shishak and editor of the daily Nagaland Page Monalisa Changkija, it was informed today. Dr Shurhozelie was the chief guest of the book launching ceremony and Dr. Abraham Lotha, also Vice Principal of St. Joseph’s, Jakhama, was the guest of honor.
The book is essentially a discourse focusing on political and social issues, art and culture, education and other relevant changing aspects of modern Naga society, organizers said. It was explained that the commentaries in the publication are a highlight of the new and changing greater socio-political issues Naga people are faced with and the growing emergence of a questioning and critical Naga generation.
Most time it is ‘outsiders’ who write about the Nagas, but this time, organizers said, it is the Nagas from across the world writing about their own people. The book informed to be an initiative of the Naga Students’ Union of Delhi.