Kohima: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Peace Coalition of North East India (PCNI) have called for ‘forgiveness’, ‘reconciliation’ and peaceful resolution of the ongoing communal conflict in Tuensang district.
Lamenting that tensions continue in spite of ‘attempts’ made by the church to diffuse the situation, the church organizations in a statement appealed to ‘all the stakeholders’ to “consider any appropriate action that will lead to a solution that is credible, peaceful and timely for the sake of posterity.”
The Church body denounced the loss of lives, properties and injuries caused so far and called upon all contending parties to refrain from further violence.
The NBCC in order to strengthen and coordinate peace initiatives in the interior district of the State, has formed a committee while also assigning various constituent associations to visit the two communities “with the message of forgiveness and reconciliation.”
In a separate release, Peace Coalition of Northeast India (PCNI) appealed for peace amongst the ‘conflicting parties’ in Tuensang.
“Violence begets only violence and that there were no victors in violent conflicts. Peacefully resolving through mutual dialogue and fostering the Christian spirit of peace is the way to resolving any dispute in sustainable manner,” it said.
The PCNI also appealed to the district administration and concern departments, civil societies, and churches to do all they can to prevent recurrence of such conflicts and mediate on the issues to restore normalcy and better understanding among the different conflicting communities.
Mention may be made here that the situation in the interior district has been volatile since November last year over a plot of land while three persons, including two teenagers have been killed and properties damaged in the conflict between Chang and Yimchugru tribes.
The district administration has imposed 144 CrPC while additional forces of Indian Reserve Battalion, Assam Rifles along with the local police have been deployed to tackle recurrence of any law and order situation. (PTI)
