NJCF appeals for understanding, peace after Litan incident

Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has expressed deep pain over the February 7 incident at Litan village, stating that the unfortunate and careless act of a few individuals had led to the suffering of many and disrupted efforts to heal old wounds.
In a statement, NJCF president Rev. Dr. N Paphino and secretary Rev. Moses Murry said the incident reflected the fragile state of the present situation, where a mindless act by some perpetrators could easily push communities into fear and insecurity. It noted that Manipur was still on the path to healing and that the prevailing situation remained volatile, requiring collective commitment towards peace and communal harmony.
The forum said the Litan incident underscored that communities were still hurting and that any untoward development could spiral into uncontrollable anger and mutual accusations. It cautioned that the unfortunate event should not be used to reopen past wounds or trigger communal discord at a time when reconciliation efforts were underway.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 12:26- “When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers” — NJCF said that as a Christian-majority community, it shared the pain and anguish of those affected and called for discovering common ground to strengthen brotherhood and ensure peaceful coexistence.
NJCF appealed to leaders of both communities to rise above false narratives and refrain from spreading unverified information that could inflame sentiments. It stated that the choice lay in whether to dwell on past bitterness or to move forward in rebuilding trust and understanding.
The forum urged both communities to reject negativism and not allow themselves to be influenced or manipulated by external forces seeking to weaken the deep-rooted tribal fabric of unity. It emphasised that demeaning one another would not bring resolution and warned that irresponsible words and propaganda could be exploited to divert attention from the core issue.
Highlighting the need for restraint, NJCF said that in the process of healing, communities must remember their interdependent and interconnected relationships. It cautioned that mishandling the situation could have serious consequences for future generations and prolong collective suffering.
The forum called for a shift in narrative from accusation and intimidation to love, understanding and justice, stressing that truth must prevail through responsible dialogue and mutual respect. It urged leaders to take proactive steps in confidence-building and bridge-building measures to prevent further escalation.
NJCF conveyed its prayers and solidarity with those who had lost their homes and were facing distress, praying that God would grant them strength and hope during this uncertain time.