DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today expressed concern at the increasing violence in the state with relation to the upcoming elections.
A press note from the NBCC condemned all forms of violence taking place in the state “including use of threat, cash and weapons.” It called upon those concerned to immediately end the poll related violence, which has caused harm to the public, animosity amongst the citizens and destruction of properties.
“All must, therefore, adhere to democratic norms and regard the other with full respect of their fundamental human rights and allow peaceful assembly and free speech,” it said. The NBCC meanwhile appreciated the concerned authorities and the paramilitary forces for keeping strict vigil against illegal elements - including inflow of liquor and arms.
NBCC Gen Secy writes open letter to political parties
General Secretary of the NBCC, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho meanwhile wrote an open letter to the presidents of all political parties in Nagaland state and asked them not to compromise their values for the sake of “money and development.”
In the letter, he cautioned the presidents that elements inimical to Christianity are working “tooth and nail to make its presence known and seen in Nagaland,” further posing, “Have you ever seriously questioned their intention? “In the past 3 years many of NBCC Church partner leaders from abroad were denied visas and barred from entering India,” he informed. As an example, the NBCC General Secretary pointed to the recent incident where Baptist World Alliance President, Rev. Dr. Paul Msiza was denied to visit NE India. “It pains us that we are closely watched and followed,” Keyho said.
India, he maintained, has “experienced worst persecution ever in 2015-2017.”
“Let us not blame each other and try to make false promises. It is not the Central Government’s fault for the situation in which we find ourselves today. It is simple, they are not interested in us no matter how hard they try to convince you,” he said to the party presidents.
He urged the state party presidents “not to use the Central Government interest to develop the Nagas as your party manifesto, they will not!”
“We can develop ourself if that is, we can say enough is enough! Even for that matter, leave the Naga political solution alone and let it flourish in its own pace. If it were possible, it would have happened long time ago…the issue is down here in Nagaland,” Keyho added. Running for political office for development is only half the task, he reminded, while stating that the “other half is to protect and safeguard your faith and the principles which your people hold dear.”
