Church observe Nagaland ceasefire pact

The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on Tuesday observed the 48th Indo-Naga Cease-fire Day at Chedema Peace Camp near Kohima.

A thanksgiving service was organised during when the Church's efforts to restore peace at the Nagaland Baptist Convention in Wokha was recalled.

Addressing the service, Nagaland Peace Centre Kohima chairman N Theyo exhorted people to give thanks to God for ending hostilities and using NBCC leaders such as Rev Longri Ao, Kenneth Kerhuo and many others in establishing peace in the state.

The decade-old conflict had claimed thousands of lives with many Naga villages burned to ashes. The Indian army also allegedly committed numerous atrocities such as rape, looting and torture of prisoners.

After ten years of relentless fighting, a bilateral ceasefire was finally established between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India on September 6, 1964. Following the ceasefire of 1964 a Peace Mission was set up with Rev.Michael Scott as a member.

Rev Michael Scott was a champion of the Indian struggle for racial equality in South Africa under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Peace Mission was established at the 1964 Baptist Convention when a resolution was unanimously passed to restore peace and work for an agreement between Nagaland leaders and the government.

"We are really thankful to the Church and the peace mission for restoring peace in Nagaland. We have always remembers the beginning of the peace work and express our gratitude to the mission and the church council for all that they had done in the past and continue to do today," the secretary of the national council, L. Kaiso, said.

"Whatever may be the situation in Nagaland, the federal government of Nagaland reasonably continue to uphold the Indo-Naga ceasefire agreement of 1964 till date so that our people feel strong to work hand-in-hand," he said.

In his speech, Baptist leader Rev VK Nuh reminded people that September 6 was being observed as Thanksgiving Day to "remember God's mercy and love to Naga people".

Rev. Nuh said the hunger and thirst for peace was immense among Naga people and "this peace cannot be enforced authoritatively by any power".

"Forgiving and being Christ like is the only answer to our quest. Revenge is not the answer to our problem," he said. "Church should be fully armed with the spiritual weapon of love and mutual concern".

"The endeavour of the Peace Mission actively supported by the church leaders headed by Rev. Longri Ao had finally resulted in an agreement for Cessation of Fire on September 6, 1964," he recalled.

"Even today and in the days to come it shall be remembered that God fearing and courageous church leaders peacefully fought to safeguard the lives of Naga people."