Nagaland church forum calls for halt to Kuki–Tangkhul violence

DIMAPUR — Amid escalating tensions between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities in Manipur, the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has issued an urgent appeal for cessation of violence, calling for a two-month halt in hostilities to pave the way for dialogue and reconciliation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the forum described the ongoing conflict as a serious threat to peace and livelihoods, affecting men, women and children from both communities.

It pointed out that competing narratives—often amplified by external voices and media—have deepened divisions and obscured shared human concerns.

Appealing in the name of Christ, the NJCF urged both communities to observe a cessation of violence from May 5 to July 5, stressing that the period should serve as an opportunity for transformation rather than merely a pause in conflict.

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It called for an immediate halt to armed confrontations and urged both sides to refrain from inflammatory statements, propaganda and divisive narratives across print, broadcast and digital media.

Highlighting the need to address mistrust, the NJCF appealed to leaders, elders and youth from both communities to actively foster dialogue, empathy and mutual respect in both public and private spaces.

The forum also underscored the importance of safeguarding vulnerable groups, particularly children, women and the elderly, and called for special measures to ensure their safety during the proposed cessation period.

Further, it urged that public movement should not be obstructed, with provisions made to protect schoolchildren, farmers and travellers so that daily life can continue without fear or disruption.

Describing the initiative as a step towards long-term peace, the forum said that the proposed cessation should be used to explore pathways for reconciliation, healing and coexistence.