Indicating that a solution to their decades-long struggle seemed closer than ever before, the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) sent out two distinct messages today. First, it wanted to put aside past differences with other Naga factions and work with them. Second, it asked the people of Nagaland to be ‘‘more realistic’’ and accept that violence would not achieve anything. From a bloody struggle to an uneasy ceasefire to the latest statement, the NSCN(IM) seemed to have travelled a long way. On an emotional day, when Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah were home together after more than three decades, the two Naga leaders spoke candidly to the thousands gathered at Dimapur to hear them. Muivah, the NSCN (IM) general secretary, said violence would lead nowhere. ‘‘We have come at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India. He and others assured us that the solution will have to be honourable and through peaceful means, because violence cannot bring any solution,’’ he said. Instead, he said an answer could be found only after appreciating the ‘‘historical rights of each other’’—India being the ‘‘other’’ in this case. ‘‘The time has to come for Nagas to be realistic,’’ he added. ‘‘We must live with dignity and freedom. This land belongs to us. Let us not under-rate ourselves. This is a crucial moment and we will not let you down,’’ Muivah said, his voice choking with emotion several times as more than 5,000 people from 40 Naga tribes in their traditional outfits listened in pindrop silence. Swu’s focus was on uniting different Naga factions and getting even his former rivals to work with him. On his arrival at Dimapur airport, he took care not to name the NSCN(K), which has refused to accept the supremacy of his unit, but the urge for reconciliation was clear. ‘‘We met the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, Sonia Gandhi and other leaders in New Delhi,’’ said the NSCN(IM) chairman, adding, ‘‘All are fully prepared to settle the Naga issue. Therefore the time has come to consolidate ourselves as one Naga people.’’ Muivah and Swu, who have been in self-imposed exile for more three decades, mostly in Thailand, have come on an Indian passport from Amsterdam. Muivah told the audience: ‘‘We are prepared to listen to you. We will advocate your opinions and views during negotiations with the Government of India.’’ The NSCN(IM) leaders will spend the next month in Nagaland, speaking to different groups. They were given a strong backing by the apex tribal council, Naga Hoho. Its chairman M Vero, said that the council appreciated their moves to bring all Naga groups on board.
