DIMAPUR, MAY 23 (NPN): Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) has appealed to the state government to exempt officially registered church vehicles from the proposed ban on displaying religious signages and church names on vehicles.
In a representation addressed to the chief minister and transport commissioner, CFD president Rev. Dr. Alem Sangtam, vice president Rev. Vangpong Phom and information secretary David Khobong said church vehicles served important religious, social and humanitarian functions across Nagaland.
The forum stated that church vehicles were often used for pastoral visits, transporting patients, carrying relief materials, conducting peace missions and serving remote communities.
CFD maintained that church signages were meant for institutional identification and public convenience, and should not be treated as political slogans, commercial advertisements or unlawful displays. CFD also said that display of church names on vehicles ensured transparency and accountability as the vehicles belonged to registered religious institutions.
Further, the forum noted that many church vehicles were engaged in charitable and community-based activities, including youth ministries, educational programmes, worship services and outreach initiatives.
Highlighting the cultural significance of churches in Nagaland, CFD said restricting church signages could unintentionally undermine the state’s religious and social heritage. It also maintained that church-owned vehicles operated on a non-commercial basis and should therefore be considered separately under the policy. The forum also pointed out that in rural and interior areas, church vehicles were commonly identified through their signages, which helped communities recognise official church representatives and ministry services.
Therefore, CFD has urged the state government to reconsider the restriction and allow church-owned vehicles to display simple identification signages, subject to reasonable guidelines from the transport department.
Sunday, May 24, 2026