Chedema (NNN), September 06: A Peace Day was observed today to commemorate the forty years of ceasefire between the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN/NNC) and the Government of India (GOI) as part of the 41st Indo- Naga Ceasefire Day celebration at Chedema Peace Camp.

The vice president of FGN (Kedallo), L.Kaisa speaking about the significance of the day said September 6, 1964 is marked as a thanksgiving day to God as the dawn of peace in Nagaland under the banner of the Nagaland Baptist Council of Churches, NBCC following ten years of war between India and Nagaland with the mediation by the Nagaland Peace Mission.

He however rued that since then six rounds of peace talks have taken place at New Delhi, which is remarkably one step forward for peace in the conflict, but yet India has been denying genuine peace in Nagaland for more than five decades.

�India has no right to occupy Nagaland,� he added.

Stating that Nagas have their right to be a nation and a people, he placed faith on the usage of peaceful means to solve problems, however complicated it may be.

He stressed that India being a democratic and civilized country should no further ignore the national rights of the Nagas.

The president of Angami Regional Council of NNC, Vilhouthie Rhiepfu speaking on the occasion expressed dismay that though today there are many educated Nagas who can help in furthering the Naga cause, they are opposing it.

Mentioning that the Shillong Accord should not be an excuse for the Nagas to blame and oppose the nation (Naga nation)�s initiative, but if India finds it an excuse in the Accord, then it should be the one to be vocal about it.

If there is something that cannot be agreed upon, then it can be brought out, but just because others are talking about it, we should not join the brigade, as that would be shameful, he said.

He expressed dismay that in the name of Naga cause we go about causing harm, killing, extorting money and suppressing our own people and if someone calls for correction, it is not paid heed to.

Lhouvits�, speaker Tatar Hoho FGN chaired the meeting while a special prayer for Peace in Nagaland was pronounced by Rev Kari Longchar, Director of Peace Committee.

Comment