Monolith dedicated to mark 50-yr old Indo-Naga ceasefire
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Dimapur, May 25 2014:
Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) Saturday dedicated the 50-year Indo-Naga Cease-fire foundation monolith at Sakraba under Phek district.
FGN Tatar Hoho speaker Lhouvitsu while remembering the past said today people have gathered to witness the dedication of the monolith in commemoration of the "dawn of peace" in "our war torn land" wherein peace was made possible due to successive meetings at Sakraba.
He recalled that a mammoth crowd gathered on May 23, 1964, which was a "rare" after decades of turbulence.
He said that the meeting was followed by the meeting of FGN representatives and the Peace Mission Members on May 24, 1964 .
Lhouvitsu said that in this meeting, the FGN representatives agreed to the peace mission proposal for cease-fire in Nagaland, and the same was signed on May, 25, 1964 .
He said the Nagaland Baptist Church Council was deeply concerned about restoration of peace and normalcy in Nagaland and that the church leaders were determined to take tremendous pain and risks to travel throughout the length and breadth of Nagaland.
Which he said eventually led to the successful organization of the third Nagaland Baptist Convention at Wokha from January 31 to February 2, 1964 during which urgent need for peace and normalcy and peaceful talks between the leaders of Nagaland and India was discussed.
Consequently, the church leaders obtained consent of government of India to open avenues and also in availing the services of Jayaprakash Narayan, Shankar Dev, Bimala Prasad Chaliha and Reverend Michael Scott with the sole objective of exploring ways and means for the speedy restoration of peace and normalcy in Nagaland, he said.
Lhouvitsu then said that through such initiatives international cease-fire agreement between Nagaland and India became effective on September 6, 1964 .
Asserting that Nagaland is peace loving country, he said "our" leaders were committed to peace in the midst of Indian aggression adding that "we" paid dearly but for peace and harmony.
He also reaffirmed that NNC/FGN is committed for peace and that it would uphold its policy and endeavour with the hope that government of India realized its "folly sooner than later and withdrawn its armed forces from our land." The monolith was unveiled and dedicated by Reverend Narola (NBCC) while Pastor Phola Baptist Church Vezokho read the Bible passage.
The dedication concluded with a
mass prayer.