NBCC calls ‘Naga family’ to heal damaged relationships

Alice Yhoshu
CHEDEMA, SEPTEMBER 6

A solemn programme commemorating the first Indo-Naga ceasefire, which was declared between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) on September 6, 1964 through the initiative of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), was held at Peace Camp, Chedema today.
“The hopeful promises of the Ceasefire of 1964 can be relived and become a reality, and therefore meaningful, if only we can take on the lessons it so painfully taught us,” said Rev. L Kari Longchar, NBCC Peace Committee member & former peace director, in his message on the occasion.
Expressing sorrow at the increased division within the Naga family over the years, the reverend made a clarion call to the Nagas to objectively look at the damaged relationships which, he said, they must now heal and find reconciliation together. He underscored the need for the people- every individual, group and community- to reflect truthfully, courageously and with humility, the realities of the Naga experience.
“The central message of reconciliation in our Christian faith that renews and bring humanity alive through truthful confession, forgiveness, redemption and liberation should be central to our history. This can be the only way forward,” Rev. Kari said.
He said the legitimate struggle of Naga politics is today failing to capture the minds of the younger generation due to continuous factional conflict and killing, and the past history and events are being told in different versions because of the divisions within the family. The public is even beginning to see that the present factional contention is for territorial control of taxation purpose and much less for national interest, and if this trend continues then the future of the Nagas as a people is very bleak, he lamented.
The reverend pointed out that remembering and narrating the “amazing yet tragic” history of the Nagas can be hopeful only in the context of the memory of God’s liberating act. In this backdrop, he said the commemoration of a historical event today calls for the Naga people to accept the responsibilities of their mistakes, seek forgiveness from one another, be truthful of their mistakes, refrain from pointing fingers at others and justifying their actions, and recognize their inter-dependence, edifying each other’s goodness and contribution.
“Only such remembering that redeems and liberates can lead us a step further towards reconciliation, healing and deliverance that Nagas so much are in need today,” Rev. Kari added.
He said the Nagas, asserting and affirming themselves as free people who had never been subjugated to any political power, began to build a house for themselves and had since then experienced much and made considerable progress in many fields. But, citing an excerpt from the book of Psalms 127, he candidly pointed out that the people’s violation of the Biblical truth on nation-building is the epicentre of the crisis that they face today.
Rev. Kari asserted that the people are aware of what the intelligence agencies, the military might and policies of the GOI have done to the aspirations and struggle of the Nagas, and that the division, injury, damage and loss caused upon the house of the Nagas though obvious are not fully told.
“However, the Church’s concern here is our failures, mistakes and wrongs which we have defended for so long, eventually living our house so divided,” he said. Stating that the NBCC’s views do not represent the wisdom of all the people, Rev. Kari acknowledged that as the Naga situation has become very complex, there will be many approaches for bringing healing to the crisis. He said that solution to the Naga problem lies not just with a few political leaders but it demands the will and participation of everyone, and all concerned people at different levels must work in the way they reason best.
Meanwhile, reminding the gathering of the events leading to the Indo-Naga ceasefire of 1964, Rev. Kari mentioned the onset of the Naga national movement and how, to wipe it out, the Indian army imposed a “reign of terror” upon the Nagas, and how the Church took over her God given responsibility and the NBCC embarked on the challenging task of peace work. He retold the contributions of Gandhian worker Jayaprakash Narayan, the then chief minister of Assam BP Chaliha and anti-aparthied activist Rev. Michael Scott who joined the NBCC Peace Mission as the mission team aggressively pursued the task which ultimately resulted in the 1964 ceasefire. Although the significance of the historical ceasefire between the GOI and FGN facilitated by NBCC is enormous, the peace talks that followed the ceasefire even at the highest level between 1966-67, unfortunately could not bring any lasting settlement or tangible breakthrough,” Rev. Kari stated. He said, should history teach the Nagas anything, ceasefire alone in itself does not lead to lasting peace.
He pointed out that Nagas, during their short history had experienced with many broken negotiations, failed ceasefire agreements and abandoned peace talks, but at the same time, the NBCC official expressed hope that the recently signed “Peace Accord” between the GoI and the NSCN (IM) would usher in a sustainable peace. Towards this, he called upon the people to pray and hope that this breakthrough will usher in a new era of joy, peace, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation and justice for all Nagas.
NNC president, Adinno Phizo, FGN Kedahge Gen. (Retd) Viyalie Metha, their subordinates and NBCC leaders attended the function.
Earlier, NBCC accounts officer Pesha Khiamngan invoked God’s blessing while FGN Tatar Hoho Speaker Lhouvitsu delivered a brief speech and Nuosikro Pfiiko from Jotsoma Baptist Church presented songs. The programme was chaired by NBCC office manager Thekruzole Nagi.
The congregation offered a mass prayer for peace, Naga leaders and all the Nagas.