Dr Sam Paul (2nd from left) along with the members of NCC and EBC during the press conference on April 22. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 22
“If the peace process is hastened then there will be infrastructure development, job creation, wealth creation and migration will stop. Therefore we appeal to all those involved that the peace process comes to a positive conclusion,” Dr Sam Paul, founder President of National Christian Council (NCC), stated during a press conference at Eastern Bible college (EBC), Dimapur on April 22.
Dr Sam Paul had been invited as the guest speaker for the 48th graduation of the EBC to be held on April 23. The administrative heads of EBC and the NCC President therefore took the opportunity to address pertaining issues with regard to Nagaland and the Northeast region.
He also mentioned that the issues related to Nagaland is tied up with the progress of the region so it was paramount that, “The necessity of peace is imminent and peace is always real and possible when justice is rendered to the persons concerned.”
Dr Sam Paul stated that, “So much time has gone and due to which so many youths have left their homes in search of job opportunities. Therefore budget allocations for more infrastructure creation and to bring accessibility of employment, thus curbing the need for migration of the North-eastern persons to other parts needs to be considered in depth.”
He made an appeal to the Prime Minister and the Ministry in-charge, “To take the Naga peace process in a sincere manner. And we also appeal that this region should not be neglected in development matters.”
It was also announced that EBC will be the integral part of Training of Christian Missionaries for the whole of India and for NCC leaders, church organisations as well. For this reason, the NCC hoped that “EBC will serve as a beacon of light for the whole country along with Asia and other parts of the world too.”
Rise of religious intolerance
In matters relating to the rise of religious intolerance in the country, Dr Sam Paul noted that, “It is disheartening to see such incidents taking place in the country. This is a very dangerous trend and is a threat to the integrity of our nation.” In this manner he stated that those involved in the religious persecution of minorities, “You are going against the ethos of a secular nation.”
On the issue of anti-conversion bills tabled across several states, he commented that, “Forceful conversions do not exist. The Bible does not support any forceful conversions, nobody should be forced.” He supplemented this by saying that, “God gives free choice to each individual, so these bills are simply a means to malign certain communities. If they do (forceful conversions), then they are not true Christians.”
The NCC currently operates across 24 states of the country, including Nagaland. Their main activity is in development of leaders in the political realm, at home, NGOs, government departments etc.
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