JFWC declares ceasefire among underground factions

Kohima, July 25 (UNI) The Joint Forum Working Committee (JFWC), comprising the Nagaland Gaon Burah (GB) Federation and Nagaland Dobhashis (DB) Association, has declared ceasefire among the Naga underground factions for a period of six months.

At a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner's Conference Hall at Dimapur yesterday, the JFWC reiterated the five-point resolution adopted on June six at Kohima and deliberated on the current issue of installing peace in the state, which they said, was of paramount importance to the Nagas.

They also affirmed that the optimistic leaders of all groups of Naga national workers, including NSCN-IM, NSCN(K) and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), had agreed in principle with the five-point resolution of JFWC.

Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner T N Mannen, who was also present in the meeting, said the declaration of the cease-fire was a historical and significant event in the context of the Nagas' struggle for sovereignty adding that this would be the first time the JFWC would take up the common specific problem of the Nagas.

Describing the venture as ''noble'', he said the JFWC was sponsored by neither the government nor the factions but had been formed out of necessity.

Mr Mannen regretted that though the Nagas always professed Christian principles, in reality, they did not practice what they preached. Exhorting the GBs and the DBs to be firm in their commitment to bring peace, he said the venture was the wish of the people.

He appealed to them to stick to their commitment adding that if they failed to fulfill their resolutions, they would not have the moral right to the GBs and the DBs.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG of NSCN-IM) and the Cease Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB of NSCN-K) Lt Gen (Retd) R V Kulkarni described the joint venture as ''honourable'' and urged the GBs and the DBs to ensure that their voice was heard.

Describing the GBs as the fathers and guardians of the society and the DBs as custodian of customary laws and practices, the president of Zunheboto District GBs' Association Zhenito cautioned the factions that the GBs and the DBs had the right to derecognise any faction for its failure to cooperate during the cease-fire.

Naga Hoho Speaker H K Zhimomi said all Nagas were in support of the JFWC.

Besides, Rev Puni of the NSCN-IM also spoke on the occasion.

UNI