Photo Courtesy: Zhazho Miachieo
Dimapur, December 5 (MExN): The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) condemning “the unrestrained acts of those who are placed to safeguard the innocent lives,” said that ‘the action of the para-military cannot just be whitewashed as “a mistake.”’
It is most unfortunate that the military has once again created an uneasy and disturbed situation in the land longing and yearning for peace. The Nagas, especially the civil societies have always protested against the draconian law making the state as the most fearful and uncivilized state in the country.
Voicing out its objection, NJCF Vice President, Rev Dr N Paphino in a press release said, “The AFSPA has emboldened such an action without a second thought and this is bound to happen again and again unless the Government of India seriously take note of it and scrap it once and for all. The blame and counter blame will continue and there will be no end to vanishing of innocent lives.”
“We cannot continue to live in a war like situation while we try to befriend and propagate peace. Life belongs to God and not to the people who hold the law and power. The military, be it security force or para-military is to provide security and confidence to law abiding citizens,” it stated.
“And therefore, as we mourn the loss of the innocent lives, it is high time that respect is shown to the wishes of the people whose rights are often suppressed and are always at the mercy of the power guns and threat.”
While the situation is tense and well understood, NJCF appeals to the public to be calm and Christians to pray for peace in our land, it added.
NBCC: Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on Sunday held ‘the Government of India accountable for such "irresponsible crime against humanity "and called for immediate redressal and booking of the culprits.
The Council expressed shock at the heinous crime perpetrated by the army which ironically coincides with the celebration of the coming of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. “With such indiscriminate act the army has not only violated the sanctity of the season but has instilled fear and insecurity among the populace. Innocent people should not be used to provoke and create a situation as an experiment, while the whole state is longing for peace,” it stated.
In solidarity with the bereaved families and the people of Mon district the Council called upon all its constituent member churches in Nagaland to observe corporate prayers on December 7 at 6:00 AM for the bereaved families and for peace.
FNBA: The Fellowship of Naga Baptist Association (FNBA) stated that the atrocity meted out towards Nagas even at this juncture of history is a gross violation of human rights and a stark depiction of the manner in which security forces still view us as expendable people groups.
FNBA President Rev Visor Zeliang, Vice President Rev Dr Vevo Phesao, General Secretary Rev H Gideon in a press release questioned, “Do we even communicate a sense of civility and human compassion across the negotiating table anymore?”
The FNBA called for urgent withdrawal of the inhuman law called AFSPA across all Naga inhabited areas and appealed to the conscience of those in authority to conduct a thorough investigation of the matter at hand. It also called upon every Naga to uphold the bereaved families in their prayers.
OTS: The community of Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS), Bade, Dimapur has condemned the inhuman acts of the security forces that has once again demonstrated their gross disrespect for the dignity of human life.
“We impress on the public in Mon district, Naga people, State Government and the Security forces to address this staggering situation as a direct outcome of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),” the Seminary urged in a statement. “We pray that this will turn out to be a 'moment of truth' for confronting the inhumanity of the security forces who treat Naga civilians as 'disposables,'" it added.
