Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, SEP 6 (NPN): The 63rd Indo Naga Ceasefire Day, observed as Nagaland Peace Day, was commemorated on Sunday at the Peace Talk Camp, Khensa, Mokokchung, with Dr. Villo Naleo, secretary, Social Concern, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), as keynote speaker.
Delivering his address on “Church, History and the Indo Peace 1964 Ceasefire: Taking the Vision Forward,” Dr. Naleo said the Naga issue cannot be resolved merely through administration, military strength, economic packages or the passage of time. He urged national leaders to unite, stating, “Our common future is greater than our differences,” and warned that internal divisions could become a political tragedy. He appealed to churches to continue playing a proactive role, as they had done in the past, stressing that the way forward must be through political dialogue, truth, justice, reconciliation and peaceful engagement, with the ceasefire ultimately leading to a just peace.
Sharing the Naga vision, FGN kedahge Kezha Angami recalled that the 1964 Ceasefire Declaration between India and Nagaland was facilitated by the Peace Mission of NBCC. He paid tribute to church leaders and elders for their prophetic voice and courage during one of the darkest periods in Naga history. Honouring pioneering leaders under A.Z. Phizo, “Father of the Nation,” and Imkongmeren, he said the cost of freedom was high, but the struggle was extraordinary and priceless because it was carried by the people and villagers through contributions of land, service, cash, kind, sweat, blood and tears.
Speaking on “The Indo Naga Position,” NNC central executive committee member Takuyaba Longkumer stated that Nagas had refused to join the Indian Union, declaring independence on August 14, 1947, alongside Pakistan. He recalled that the Naga Voluntary Plebiscite conducted on March 16, 1951 saw 99.9% of the population vote in favour of independence, reaffirming the 1947 declaration.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Tsuknungrenla, associate professor, CTC. Invocation was offered by Merentoba Longkumer, former Pastor, Ungma Baptist Church, while benediction was pronounced by Rev. Puryapang, president, Mokokchung Toen Arogo Baptist Churches Mission. The Covenant Stone (Azungashi Long) was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Akok Amer, Pastor, Impur Baptist Church, Mission Centre, and intercessory prayer was led by Rev. I. Wathy Imchen, former Pastor, Alichen Baptist Church.
Reminiscences of the 1965 Indo Naga Peace Talk were shared by Rev. P. Longri Longchar, while a Naga Freedom Song was presented by the Khensa Students’ Union and Yimyu Ward executive committee. The welcome address was delivered by Khensa Village Council chairman I. Alemmeren Longchar. The land for the Peace Camp was officially gifted by Pangertoshi on behalf of the descendants of the Leubaza Clan of Khensa.