Stage set for 17th Naga Unification Day - Alezo has a big responsibility

Stage set for 17th Naga Unification Day - Alezo Venuh has a big responsibility

New Delhi 

'Unity of purpose' is a great mechanism that keeps humankind together and subsequently human societies progress through a host of evolutionary milestones.

In 2007, Naga underground leaders cutting across organisational lines joined handsand decided to work together with a unity of purpose. Late Isak Chishi Swu, then chairman NSCN-IM, had reportedly emailed from the Philippines stating that 'Naga Unification' started by the Sumi National workers from NSCN-IM and NSCN-K is a "positive" development and therefore all the Naga National workers should reconcile.

This was a good beginning and on Nov 22, 2007 the 'unification' card was pushed.

From NSCN (K) - C Singson, Jack Jimomi and Akato Chophy had attended the unification meeting among others while Azheto Chophy, Hevuku Yepthomi and Hothrung Yim represented the NSCN-IM.  

This year on the same day - that is Nov 22nd -- the GPRN/NSCN (Unification) will commemorate the 17th Naga Unification Day.

A grand function has been convened in Dimapur region under the aegis of President N B Neokpao Konyak and Ato Kilonser Alezo Venuh. 

In fact, for Alezo it will be the first such grand function to grace in his new position.

Alezo : New role for a soft-spoken Ideologue

"Your Commitment and solidarity towards reclaiming Naga political and historical rights....... is appreciated and deeply cherished," the invitation says.

The invitation has been extended to Naga Students' Federation (NSF), Eastern Nagaland Students Federation (ENSF), Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (village elders) and Naga Council, Dimapur. 

The day has a significance of its own as this was the first step that led to the creation of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG). It is today better known as the 'umbrella organisation'of Naga underground groups and its main achievement so far has been the inking of the Agreed Position with Govt of India's interlocutor R N Ravi in 2017.

The Status Paper prepared by NNPG in coordination with the Govt of India is a detailed document to pursue the agenda of Peace and Development together.   

Sources also say on Nov 23, 2007, another milestone was achieved when an agreement was signed "with a view to end bloodshed and fratricidal killings among the warring Naga nationalist parties".

Thus, they say Naga Unification (of underground leaders and workers) was a process moved by like minded active workers.  

As time rolled by things also changed here and there - and sometimes these changes were drastic.

But nevertheless the clamour for unification, brotherhood and peace remain as permanent features and all these are certainly linked to an early Solution to the Naga issue.

Therefore, all eyes will be on Ato Kilonser, Alezo Venuh, and others in the NNPG to lead the path towards achieving the goal. 

ends