Our Reporter
Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): Chairman of Naga Archive and Research Centre Dimapur, Rev. Dr. V K Nuh on Sunday stated that there are now ‘six truths’ among the Naga national groups, with all factions claiming to be defenders of the truth.
“We have heard enough lessons from Israelites, how slow they were to learn despite many miracles from God. They were often rebellious against God; that is why their journey to the land of Canaan was delayed”, he shared.
Nuh stated that in the same way, Nagas have seen all kinds of tragedies for the last 75 years.
‘Naga people have suffered but they refuse to believe His wonderful deliverance’, he said.
He stated this while delivering his message of repentance and prayer at the ‘Naga National Prayer Day’ at Agri Expo, Dimapur. It was held on the theme ‘Pray without Ceasing’ and organised by the Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC).
‘We believe that no power on earth can stop us from entering the Promised Land. We trusted our own powers and fought to extend the factional supremacy’, he said, adding that Nagas must remind the growing generation how their forefathers made a covenant with God.
Nuh added that they must realise that the ‘voice of the people is the voice of God’.
Opining that the Naga National Council (NNC) leaders must apologise for not “keeping their leaders together”, he also added that the Federal Government of Nagaland must “say sorry” for signing the Shillong Accord that led to conflict in Naga society.
“Muivah, Isak and Khaplang must say sorry because they dismissed the Naga National Political institution of NNC by forming National Socialist Council of Nagalim on January 31, 1980 and the public must say sorry because they have forgotten the covenant of the plebiscite and began involving in the state elections.
“And even all the state political leaders have to say sorry because they did not fulfill their promises to bring political settlement according to their manifesto and the churches have to say sorry because they lost the prophetic voice to challenge the bloodshed in the land in accordance with the Biblical mandate,” he said.
Furthermore, Nuh stated that the NNC and Federal Government must admit to their past mistakes and accept other remnant national workers for ‘national rebirth’, adding that leaders must have the courage to admit to their faults, mistakes, lapses and shortcomings.
He added that there is no hope of a future “till they accept the truth” and the only option left for Naga people is to “say sorry with national repentance”.
He said freedom and prosperity are fragile things, and God gives freedom only to those who are prepared to protect it.
Chairman of NSCN (IM), Q Tuccu, in his speech read out by president of CNC, Rev. D. Heutui Zeme, urged the people to make the Naga National Prayer Day their solemn pledge of allegiance to God's irrevocable covenant with the Naga people.
Tuccu added that this day was also to remind them that they cannot pursue their political struggle to defend their God-given rights without Christ leading the Nagas.
He stated that this is the meaning of their political movement under the banner of Nagalim for Christ.
“There is no other way forward to sustain our movement when we are placed under this critical juncture in order to bring yielding temperament on the part of the Government of India to respect and honour our historical and political rights.
“Nothing is impossible with God if we approach Him with open hearts, admitting our shortcomings and confessing our sins. What we need today is justice and unity of a people who is one in His creation and purpose”, Tuccu stated.
While delivering the message of God’s forgiveness and blessing, vice president of Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), Rev. Dr. N Paphino, said ‘without repentance, there is no forgiveness and without forgiveness, there is no repentance’.
Paphino said that in order to receive repentance and forgiveness, ‘Nagas really need to change; and repent for their mistakes’.
In the current context, Nagas are divided into many pieces because of tribalism, different groups, factions, including the church, and this has become their greatest enemy, he added.
On the occasion, a short message on God’s purpose for the Nagas was also delivered by Vice Chairman of NSCN, Tongmeth Wangnao.
Meanwhile, Rev. Seksim Kasar, General Secretary, CNC, expressed his appreciation to all the delegations from the churches, media fraternity and CSOs; special invitees, guests and speakers for participating in the Naga National Prayer Day inaugural service.
“The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, the Fellowship of Naga Baptist Associations, Naga Joint Christian Forum, Manipur, and their subordinate bodies have been always our source of courage and strength then in the gone by days and now in the present times. We hope, by joining our hands together and marching forward unitedly, we will overcome some day,” he said.