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KOHIMA — Citizens of Kohima on Sunday turned up to express solidarity and prayed for strife-torn Manipur state in a ‘Candlelight vigil standing in prayer for Manipur,' organised by the Kohima Baptist Pastors' Fellowship (KBPF) at the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Convention Centre.
Speaking at the programme, president of KBPF, Rev. Vezopa Rhakho, said the programme was organised to pray for Manipur, that peace may prevail and that God may grant wisdom to the leaders of Manipur to come to an amicable settlement, particularly between the Meiteis and Kukis.
The event envisaged raising concerns, empathise and to extend humanitarian help and relief to those caught in the crisis.
The programme was also organised to express resentment against the burning of churches and Christian institutions on the pretext of ethnic conflict, as well as to express solidarity with the persecuted Christians in Manipur, Rev. Rhakho said.
The KBPF as a Christian body denounced any form of violence, he said and appealed to all the tribal leaders of Manipur and church organisations to initiate peace between the Meiteis and Kukis at the earliest.
General Secretary of NBCC, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, in his address said that Manipur has been bleeding for the past 54 days and counting. But there seems to be no one, be it the state government or the centre, serious enough to heal the wounds.
"The utter despair felt by the common people, the fear and uncertain life situation in which they live is of grave concern. We wonder if the authority of the state has lost its power reducing the state into statelessness? Lawless in the state is becoming the order of the day," he opined.
"It is most unfortunate that church buildings and properties have become the target of the conflict," Keyho said, while adding that targeting a particular religion should not be made the face of the conflict.
Keyho pointed out that there is a bigger and more complex issue which people in the authority must address and that the root cause of the conflict must be openly addressed with sincerity.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]He urged the authority to establish law and order impartially and give protection to the weak and the minority groups in the state.
He further urged the central government to act and build confidence in the minds of the common people and the minority groups whose lives and existence have been threatened by the conflict.
"The loud talk on the roof top and the silence in the kitchen can be misconstrued and therefore, it is time for the central government to intervene and start building peace and confidence within," he said.
He appealed to the Kukis and Meiteis to come to the negotiating table, reason together and come to a point of dialogue.
"Choose the path of healing and embrace each other once again and live in peace as you have done centuries before the unfortunate turn of event," the church leader appealed.
He further called upon the people of Nagaland to continue to pray that God will intervene and that peace will once again be established in Manipur.
General Secretary of KBPF, Dr. Ruokuovilie Sachü, led the congregation into intercessory prayer which was followed by lighting of candles.
Speaking at the programme, president of KBPF, Rev. Vezopa Rhakho, said the programme was organised to pray for Manipur, that peace may prevail and that God may grant wisdom to the leaders of Manipur to come to an amicable settlement, particularly between the Meiteis and Kukis.