Reconciliation Soccer
The Indo-Naga armed conflict is one of the longest running conflicts in post-colonial South Asia. The nationalist armed struggle led by Naga Nationalist Council (NNC), which began in 1951, split into two in 1975 when a section of the movement signed an agreement with the Government of India. In 1980 the National Socialist Council of Nagalim was formed. But this also split into two factions in 1988. The Government of India signed ceasefire agreements with both the groups in the late 1990s. However, the ceasefire has been strenuous, giving way to conflicts among the Naga armed groups. The civil society in Nagaland, long pushing for peace and reconciliation, together with the armed groups came up with the idea to use football to reconfigure dynamics of war and peace. This is one of the games that was played in Dimapur, a prominent trading town of Nagaland.
Some of these images were published in the Motherland magazine.
Football jerseys hang from benches as both teams attend prayers before the game began.
A choir singing before the game.
A choir singing before the game.
The Naga National Choir, comprising members of all armed groups practice before the game.
Akum Longchari, a member of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation being interviewed about the reconciliation process.
Dr Wati Aier, a prominent member of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation speaks to the teams before the game.
A vendor fills air in balloons that have a peace banner attached to it, for the game.
Teams get together at the local stadium in DImapur, Nagaland, India.
Orphans of the conflict hold hands in prayer and pledge to end conflict.