The beginning of the year 2008 saw the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), comprising Nagaland People’s Front, BJP and NCP, retaining power after an almost peaceful conduct of Assembly election during a short spell of President’s Rule.
Emphasising on the spirit of forgiveness and a common hope, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), an umbrella body comprising members from churches, tribal councils and social organisations, endured to usher in peace and unity when senseless killings for supremacy reached its peak vitiating the whole atmosphere during the first quarter of the year.
The reconciliation process, supported by the State Government, was initiated at Chiang Mai in Thailand by holding series of discussions between FNR members and leaders of both groups of NSCN.
Similar exercise was also carried out in Nagaland leading to endorsement to the reconciliation initiative from the underground groups, which even played two friendly football matches as part of their ‘commitment’ to unity.
But contrary to hope for peace nurtured by the people, the war of attrition between the NSCN factions refused to die down and accusations and counter-accusations against each other continued unabated despite people’s repeated appeals for exercising restraint.
Although ceasefire with both groups continued with usual hiccups, no headway was made in political talks between the Centre and the NSCN-IM during the year, and as usual, both sides accused each other of lacking in sincerity towards finding a permanent settlement to the protracted Naga conflict.
However, at the fag end of the year, another round of formal peace parleys was reportedly held at the Hague in Netherlands between the Centre and the NSCN-IM leaders. – PTI