DIMAPUR, March 6 � As part of a reconciliation campaign in Naga-inhabited areas, churches and NGOs as well as joint working groups of three underground Naga factions today called for fostering understanding in the Naga society.
Hundreds of people, representing both Naga and non-Naga groups in and around this commercial town, took part in a joint rally supported by the Naga Council, Dimapur and other tribal Hohos (apex tribal bodies) and civil groups at the DDSC stadium here.
The rally was part of the ongoing �a journey, common hope� campaign initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), a body comprising churches and NGOs, winding through most of the districts of Nagaland and Ukhrul and Senapati districts of Manipur.
All shops and business establishments in the town remained closed during the rally as ordered by the district administration to enable people to participate.
The FNR, after holding series of meetings with the underground groups successfully convinced three groups � two factions of NSCN and NNC/FGN � not to bicker among themselves and to sign the �Covenant of Reconciliation� last year.
Since the reconciliation initiative, the killings among underground groups drastically came down in Nagaland but kidnapping of businessmen for ransom and rampant extortions were still on, particularly in State capital Kohima and Dimapur town. � PTI
