Naga civil leaders regret rejection of peace overtures

DIMAPUR, MAY 14 (EMN): Voicing disappointment at the apparent unwillingness of the Meiti civil society organisations to join in efforts to find peaceful options to the ongoing situation, the Coordination Committee of the Naga Civil Society Organisations has resolved that 'Naga people will not be responsible for any turn of events or eventualities' as all its peace overtures have been rejected and dishonoured.

A communiqué informed that a meeting was held today at Kohima in the backdrop of AMUCO's expressed inability to meet the Coordination Committee of Naga Civil Society which was scheduled to be held at Guwahati. It reminded that the meeting had been scheduled for May 13 but subsequently extended to May 14 acknowledging AMUCO's stated difficulties and respecting their needs to have more time to prepare for the proposed meeting.
"However, much to our disappointment, the magnanimous offer for talks, even in the face of so many opposition and criticism, in our deepest desire to give peaceful options a chance has been turned down on flimsy grounds of "prevailing situation", which were some of the reasons for which the meeting was also called," it said.
The communiqué issued by Committee convenor Neingulo Krome, co-convenor Kenyuseng Tep and member secretary Rosemary Dzüvichü Convenor further stated: "It may also be worth mentioning that Nagas have just buried the dead and are still nursing those injured while hundreds are also still displaced. Nevertheless, even in the face of these humiliations we have 'walked extra miles' to still invite people who are responsible for these tragedies, 'for a face-to-face discussion and to explore all possible options of finding some kind of an amicable solution, so as to restore normalcy for the sake of our people who deserve to live in peace and harmony', which were again turned down."
It, moreover, recalled that "Even in the past and more so in the recent years, including the June 18, 2001 "Manipur uprising" against the Ceasefire coverage "without territorial limit", Meitei civil society organisations refused to even respond to our invitation to have talks." Stating that it is unfortunate that Nagas have always been projected as the 'bad guys', it felt that perhaps enthusiasm on the part of the Naga people 'to have peace at any cost, despite all kinds of provocation, are being thoroughly misunderstood'.
In the light of this, the Coordination Committee has placed upon 'the Government of Manipur and the people who are responsible for the present state of affairs' to immediately:
1. Withdraw all the Manipur Police, Commandoes and Manipur IRBs stationed in the Hill District of Manipur
2. To withdraw all restrictions on movement of the Naga people including that of the General Secretary of the NSCN/GPRN
Friday's meeting further resolved that 'Naga people will not be responsible for any turn of events or eventualities as all our peace overtures are rejected and dishonoured'.
The Coordination Committee of the Naga Civil Society organisations include the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers' Association, Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students, Federation, United Naga Council, Naga Women Union Manipur, All Naga Students' Association Manipur and Tenyimia Women Organisation
It may be mentioned that the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) had yesterday rejected the invitation of the Naga civil society organisations for talks to explore possible options for an amicable solution citing the prevailing situation as reason.