Drawing attention to the sufferings of the people in the different parts of the state, Bishop of Kohima Diocese, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, said dialogue is the only way forward for the sustainable peace in Nagaland.
Addressing the inaugural function of the evaluation of the Peace Channel activities of the past years, the Bishop said church and the civil society leaders need to work hand in hand to resolve the differences through a meaningful dialogue with the conflicting parties in order to give hope to children and youth. He also said that Peace Channel should always come forward to work in conflict situation.
Rev. Dr. Fr. Mathew, Director of Shalom Rehab Centre, led the invocation.
Fr. Dr. Sebastian, Director DAN, in sharing his experiences, said we need to strengthen the intertribal and community based leadership to bring lasting solution to the present issues faced by the people in different parts of the state and the region.
He said Peace Channel should be ready to face challenges and also be able to intervene in times of conflict. He also stressed on the importance to form an inter-tribal peace community so that it would be easier to contain any tribal situations.
Rev. Fr. CP Anto, Director of Peace Channel and the principal of NEISSR, said Peace Channel has been making some difference in the life of children and youth by cultivating the culture of peace in their personal lives through regular inner peace exercises and capacity building programmes.
He said Peace Channel is a secular movement catering to the needs of all walks of people irrespective of caste, creed, sex, tribe and region. He also appreciated the active involvement of churches, NGOs and civil society leaders in making the dream a reality.
Convenor of People’s Forum for Peace (PFP), Taku Longkumer, has appreciated the initiatives taken by the movement and said peace cannot prevail in one day effort. Stating that conflicts would not end, he therefore, said we all should actively involve in the peace building and dialogue process. He has encouraged Peace Channel to go to the districts of Nagaland, North East region and even outside India with the peace mission.
Mrs. Enakshi has appreciated the work of the church and Peace Channel in building peace. She said the project had made a change in the conflict region of the North East India. She also hinted at the possibilities of networking with likeminded organizations in the days to come. She also said Peace Channel has become very relevant to the people of the region.
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