Re: does not have any territorial designs...all our capabilities are just aimed at protecting our interests

The Naga Peace Initiative

The Naga people, of Mongolian ancestry, are indigenous to what is now
northeast India, northwest Myanmar (formerly Burma) and southern
China. It is estimated that in northeast India some 90% of the Naga
population is Christian with the vast majority of those affiliated
with Baptist congregations, the result of a unique history of American
Baptist missionary work. Like most indigenous groups in the area,
their historic lands were arbitrarily split by colonial powers (Great
Britain in this case) between different modern nation-states. At the
close of British colonial rule in 1947 the Nagas were promised their
independence by Gandhi, which the Nagas declared on August 14, 1947.
Following the assassination of Gandhi that agreement was rescinded
prompting an on-going state of civil war in the region.

Since 1955 armed conflict has been going on between Naga insurgents
and the army of India. The war has claimed an estimated 200,000 lives,
according to the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights. India rules
the area under rigorous martial law provisions. Severe travel and
communication restrictions in the region make it difficult for
journalists to gain access or news to be sent out. One of the results
of numerous failed attempts at resolving this conflict has been the
splintering of the Nagas into competing political parties, many of
which are armed and at war with each other. The Naga conflict has
destabilized the entire northeast of India, encouraging insurgent
movements in the other states of the region. It has also made the
India/China border a volatile region.

Very little attention has been given to this conflict in the West, so
few resources have been made available to those working for a peaceful
resolution. There are severe problems of geographic isolation, lack of
awareness and media inattention. Naga peacemakers need support to
continue their courageous activity to permanently end the war.

In 1993 following initial contact with Naga church leaders, the
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America began exploring ways it
might be able to provide support to Naga peacemakers. A meeting was
convened by the BPFNA in Atlanta in July, 1997 that included 3 of the
4 insurgent factions and some social sector leaders. That week-long
meeting resulted in the "Atlanta Appeal." While the Atlanta meeting
was being held, the faction which did not attend, the National
Socialist Council of Nagaland led by Isak and Muivah (NSCN-IM), agreed
to a cease-fire with the government of India. The Atlanta participants
urged the BPFNA and Naga mediators to keep trying to engage the
NSCN-IM in the process.

In November, 1997 the BPFNA facilitated talks that led to informal
cease-fire which continued into August, 1999. The informal cease-fire
collapsed in the wake of the assassination of one of the factional
leaders by commandos from another faction. But there are continued
efforts to bridge the divisions among the Nagas so they they can
effectively enter into a dialog with the government of India for a
long-term solution to the conflict.

The BPFNA has also worked to consult with and provide training for the
grassroots people's organizations working for nonviolent expressions
of Naga aspirations and solutions to the conflict. In February, 1998
the Naga social sector organizations and churches participated in a
boycott of the Indian parliamentary elections and a "white flag"
campaign. 100% of the Baptist churches in Nagaland, representing 80%
of Nagas, flew white flags and prayed for peace. 70% of homes and
businesses displayed white flags. The election boycott was 85%
effective, with all opposition parties refusing to run candidates. No
violence took place during those days.

In January, 2000 a "Journey of Conscience" was launched as over 50
Nagas, including choirs and speakers, journeyed by train from Nagaland
to Delhi on a "people-to-people" campaign. The Naga delegation met
with Indian activists, journalists, educators, etc. to present their
culture, aspirations and to explore possibilities for peace.

Many other activities have been undertaken and are being planned to
find nonviolent expressions for the hopes for a just peace. People
interested in supporting the peace movement among the Nagas can do so
through contributions to the BPFNA's Gavel Fund.
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