Nagaland peace centre organizes thanksgiving service

Chairman, Nagaland Peace Centre, N. Theyo who also led the programme in his speech said this day was remembered and honoured with thanksgiving to God for His goodness and mercy shown upon the Nagas and the Indians. He expressed his appreciation to the past Indian leaders and present Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to effect a change from military measures against the Nagas and opt for political engagement to find out political and peaceful solution to the Naga political problem.

He also expressed gratitude to Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and many others who initiated the peace effort in Nagaland and recalled the Baptist convention held at Wokha from January 31 to February 2, 1964 that welcomed the peace talk between the government of India and the NNC president, late Dr. A.Z. Phizo. He said in recent years considerable progress in the peace efforts to remove the hard and ugly history of Nagaland and peaceful and possible era was delivered towards realizing the ideals of peace with the ceasefire between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) on August 1,1997 and with NSCN (K) on April 2, 2001.  

Theyo appealed to everyone to work for strengthening political force for peace and pray for the final political settlement of the Naga political issue. He expressed sadness at the unfortunate disunity among Naga national workers which delayed the desire political solution. He said Nagaland Peace Centre was closely associated with the Gandhi Peace Foundation New Delhi and the centre aim to uphold the policy of peace and discourage violence and bloodshed. He said NPC appreciated and supported to FNR and church members who took number of initiatives to bring about reconciliation and peace to prevail in “our” land. 

Member of governing body Nagaland Peace Centre Kohima, S. Ghunakha Swu recalled that the continuous fighting from 1954-1964 made the innocent public miserable for with their movements restricted, affecting not only their living conditions but economic life as well.

He reminded the gathering that the NBCC under the stewardship of late Rev. Longri Ao and late Rev. Kenneth Kucho took initiative to restore peace in Nagaland. He said on this occasion NPC appealed to all Naga citizens to work for strengthening political forces to support the peace process and pray for final honouring and acceptable settlement.

Theja Therieh led in responsive reading, thanksgiving prayer was said by asst. pastor Chakhesang Baptist church Kitsubouzou Kohima, Chikhungo Puro, special song was presented by Nagaland College of Music and Fine Art Kohima, while benediction prayer was pronounced by Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh. Programme was attended by NPC members, church leaders, well wishers and others.