NJCF appeals for peace, release of hostages in Manipur

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), during an urgent executive meeting held on May 14 at Dimapur, expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Manipur and appealed to all communities to choose the path of peace and reconciliation.
In a statement, NJCF president Rev. N. Paphino and general secretary Rev. Moses Murry said members thoroughly discussed the situation in Manipur with “much concern and urgency.” The forum cautioned that social media could be misleading and easily confuse the public, but maintained that the fact remained that “precious lives were taken away from our community.”
Condemning the killing of innocent people, NJCF said there was no justification for the “evil committed by cowards” and asserted that those responsible must be made accountable “before God and before man in the strictest form of the court.”
The forum stated that blame games would not solve the issue and stressed that unless evil was uprooted from society, “we will turn into senseless human beings.” It further asserted that justice must be pursued by embracing one another and eradicating “evil forces” at work in the region.
NJCF reminded all communities to move away from hatred and hostility in the spirit of Christian love and reconciliation.
The forum appealed to all communities in the region to choose peace and immediately release those who were allegedly kidnapped and held hostage.
It also appealed to both Naga and Kuki communities to cease hostility and listen to the “cry of the common people,” while maintaining that hatred and animosity would not solve the problem.
NJCF further urged people to come out of vengeance and build bridges, while questioning the future of communities claiming to be Christians without practicing what they believed.
“We cannot go back to the savage life,” the forum stated, adding that violence was not the solution and that “love and forgiveness are the foundation which can draw us to each other.”
The forum also appealed to the authorities to act firmly and not remain passive during the crisis. It further urged the central government to act “with precision” and not make “lame appeal and excuses.”
“Do not let loose the evil that is happening right under your watching eyes. Do not play politics over the lives of the innocents,” NJCF stated.