‘Integration, unity meaningless without forgiveness’
Nehemiah Rong
Senapati | October 8
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, questioning if Naga nationalism and its aspired goals are to be sacrificed at “the altar” of tribalism, today challenged the people to “re-invest” in Christian values reminding that mere integration is meaningless without forgiveness.
“Now the big question is, if we are true followers of Jesus, why are the Nagas finding so much problems in forging oneness or unity? Apart from our oneness in Christ, are we not all related through the ethnic Naga blood? Are we going to sacrifice Naga nationalism, for which we have struggled for so many decades, at the altar of tribalism and selfish divisiveness?”
Rio was speaking as Chief Guest at the Naga Christian Forum conference at Tahamzam, Senapati, Manipur on October 8. He challenged the people to introspect and identify what he called the stumbling blocks to Naga unity and “let us try to remove them with concerted efforts”.
“Let us try to reinvest and imbibe the true Christian values, such as love humility and forgiveness which are the prime need in our Naga society today. If we truly love one anther, if we are humble and able to forgive our brethren for any mistake done, then Naga unity and oneness will follow automatically. And without that ones and unity in our minds, mere integration of territories will be meaningless” Rio reminded while quoting John 13:34.
Rio maintained strongly that “religious platform” can “do a lot” to bring about healing to the ailing Naga society. He called for a “spiritual process” to consolidate Naga unity. “It is unfortunate that the some Naga brothers resort to violence and killing one another when the mass are yearning for peace and reconciliation.”
To this end, Rio appealed for stop to fratricidal killings and all forms of violence, through forgiveness in the name Jesus Christ
On the issue of affiliation of private schools in Manipur’s Naga-inhabited Hill district to the Nagaland Board of School Education Rio said his government has no objection, just that there are “some legal and man-made hurdles”.
As the early morning fogs cover the Tahamzam, ‘Land of Butterflies’, the delegates gathered in the local ground to worship the God, with praise and worship, prayers and with the morning message ‘Oneness in Love’ shared by Pastor Ch.Pheirim. Young Nagas fully adorned with traditional attires gave a warm reception to the Chief Guest of Concert Session, Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland at Mao Gate, a small border town that divides the Nagaland and present Manipur.
Paul Langhu, ANSAM president also speaking at the occasion, lauded the Rio for ‘always understanding the Naga people’s movement’ and extending full cooperation. Paul also noted that ‘some Naga MLAs from Manipur are being a hindrance to the movement instead addressing the issues that confront the people in right way. “There are lots of problems due to the non-cooperation from the Government of Manipur’ he said.
Most Rev. Dominic Lumon D.D. also pointed out that the greatest setback for reconciliation is the disunity amongst the Nagas. “Reconciliation is a step toward oneness’ said Lummon while reminding that the Christian faith offers enough room to forget and bury the past
Earlier in the day Rio unveiled the Conference Monolith in Tahamzam with Rev. SK Hokey, Vice President NCF, Manipur dedicating it with a prayer. Mount Everest College EU led praise and worship while Joshua, member NCF said the invocation. Ministers, MLAs from both Nagaland and Manipur, Naga NGOs and civil societies were present at the conference.
