Dimapur, November 2 (MExN): Keeping hope alive, planted on ‘A Common Journey of Hope’ for reconciliation, thousands of Tangkhuls on Sunday gathered at Ukhrul to pray for healing and reconciliation for the “Naga political groups” (factions). The prayers invoked strengthening the hope of unity among the Naga tribes through the unity of the Naga groups in particular and harmonious existence with all neighboring communities. It also sought to reach out each other through healing hands . The Naga Reconciliation Meet of Tangkhul sector was organized by Tangkhul Committee on Peace and Confidence Building (TCPB) as a follow-up of the series of Naga reconciliation meets initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. The prayers were held also in the backdrop of the factional killings among the Naga underground factions.
Ukhrul has had its share of rallies and meetings over the Naga political movement and the peace process with the Government of India. However, nothing evoked more emotion than Sunday’s Naga Reconciliation meet when the public cried for all the past misdeeds and looked for a room for reconciliation and peace.The Tangkhuls’ desire for peace and unity through reconciliation was empirically expressed by the prayer program’s two main Speakers. Grace Thumra Shatsang, president of the Naga Women’s Union Manipur and Rev. Dr. Mingthing, director of the Tangkhul Theological Association highlighted the need for introspection to save the Naga nation from impending doom from factional clashes and self-annihilation.
As a pledge to work for healing through reconciliation of all the Naga tribes in particular and neighboring communities Rev. E. Shaiza, general secretary of the Tangkhul Naga Baptist Convention (TNBC) administered an oath to the public: according to a declaration of the reconciliation meet, every Tangkhul man and woman will work for the healing of spirits through forgiveness.
Sunday’s Naga reconciliation meet was attended by the headmen of all Tangkhul villages as well as pastors, students, youth and women leaders apart from others. The president of Tangkhul Wungnao Long (Tangkhul Headmen’s Association) Kaphungkan Shimray invoked the creator (in the Naga custom of yodelling) and appealed for “inroad of good things and the exit of bad things” from the Nagas.
Among the thousands who attended the meeting today at Tangkhul Naga Long ground, Muivah’s fellow-villagers from Somdal marked a strong presence. Reiterating the Tangkhuls’ cry for healing through reconciliation among the warring Naga political groups, hundreds of balloons with a banner “Healing of Our Spirit” was released into the sky.
