Dimapur, Dec 15 (MExN): Issuing a clarification on certain matter in regard to the December 5 meeting with NSCN-K leaders in Mon, Nagaland Baptist Church Council terms as subjective conclusion NSCN-K’s assertion that its rival group had sent the NBCC team to Mon.
“The purpose of the meeting was part of the NBCC’s attempt, supported by other churches, to bring about healing and reconciliation among our people so that our deteriorating crisis does not end in disaster. The assertion that the ‘rival group’ had sent the team to Mon is not true. It seems to be the subjective conclusion of the NSCN-K” stated a clarification issued by NBCC through Peace Affairs Director Rev. L Kari Longchar. NBCC executive council resolved on August 10 this year at Dimapur to meet all groups as part of its attempt to launch a renewal process of ‘honest conversation’ it reminded. This ‘honest conversation’ envisaged exploring what has gone wrong in the Naga society and struggle and why, so that the people would go beyond ‘destructive blaming of others’. “NBCC has started to meet all groups following the launching of its booklet ‘NBCC’s proposal for healing and reconciliation of the Naga people’ on September 29 in Dimapur. NBCC prays that all groups would respond constructively for the sakes of their people who need them to show statesmanship of a high order at this dangerous time” it stated.
The NBCC team also reiterated its stand on non-violence, impartiality and open dialogue on all issues of division and distrust. The NBCC further appraised that during the course of interaction with the NSCN-K Council of Kilonsers, the group had expressed displeasure with the church’s press statement appealing for withdrawal of the NSCN-K quit notice issued to the Tangkhul community (the FGN in Phek had also issued one to the same community), the note stated. They asked the NBCC team to tender an apology or withdraw the statement. “The team expounded the meaning of the appeal with retrospection of the background of the pres release and reaffirmed that the statement is the position of NBCC and not the personal opinion of an individual. The team urged them to reconsider the quit notice for the common good of the Naga family” the NBCC note pointed out. It added that neither the peace team nor the General Secretary of NBCC were aware of the NSCN-K leaders’ mention of boycotting Rev. Zhabu Terhuja. “we could meet the leaders because they cordially responded to the General secretary’s letter with gesture of openness to NBCC” the note added.
