DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) today asked all parties to refrain from “any more bloodshed, whatever the outcome of the talks” to the Indo-Naga political issue.
“The church is not a negotiating party to it, nor it has any suggestion to give for the ongoing talks,” it said, however stressing that “violence begets violence and history’s verdict must not be that the Naga struggle destroyed the people for whom it was launched.”
A press release from the ABCC Executive Secretary, V Atsi Dolie pointed out that “dishonesty, betrayal, trust deficit and greed have taken a huge toll on our Naga society.”
It recognized that hurts and wounds caused over the course of Naga history “will certainly outlast any final agreement between the negotiating parties.” It however stated that “if we allow ourselves to the dictate of our human desire and revengeful spirit then we may be at the threshold of the worst moment of our history.”
“But all is not lost,” the ABCC stated. It said that “if we learn to be patient, forgiving and loving one another – which are all extremely difficult – then a time is coming whereby we can testify to the observing eyes that our faith in Jesus Christ is real and relevant.” It therefore asked all Nagas to pray “Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil and enable the Nagas to build a new future together. Future generations then will rise and call you blessed.”
“Life is precious and serious for God, and so no one should dare treading God’s territory! The church stands by the Bible, and it will not tolerate taking away someone’s life, even if that be a humanly justifiable one,” the ABCC stated.
