The Churches of Nagaland had a key role to play in the peace process

lThe author is general secretary, Council of Naga Baptist Churches

More than 50 years have elapsed since the Nagas launched their struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. Thousands of Nagas have, till date, sacrificed their lives for the cause. Those surviving are still continuing with the struggle.

The saga of the Naga movement and their fight for their rights of sovereignty and independence began in 1929 in a written form, though in reality they date back to as early as 1850.

Seventy-five of today’s Naga population was born after the nightmarish experience of the Naga political insurgency of 1955-1964. During the movement, the Nagas suffered a lot at the hands of the Indian security forces. We (the Nagas) suffered incalculable losses both in terms of life and property. There was no security of life in those days and the people were left to the mercy of Nature. It is indeed painful to recollect those dark days of history, when violation of human rights was not an issue and when “might was right” for the forces that suppressed the Naga movement mercilessly.

Under these circumstances, the Churches of Nagaland could not remain a silent spectator. Church leaders realised that this was the moment to initiate peace work and to restore harmony in the land by upholding the principles of Christianity. Responding to a plea from the churches in the state, the people of Nagaland united and prayed together for restoring peace in Nagaland. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) initiated several measures to improve the situation before a formal resolution was adopted at the third Nagaland Baptist Convention at Wokha on February 2, 1964. Thus, the first peace mission was formed with three members — B.P. Chaliha, incumbent chief minister of Assam, Sarvodaya leader J.P. Narayan, and Rev. Michael Scott, missionary from England.

The untiring efforts of the peace mission resulted in the declaration of the ceasefire between the government of India and the federal government of Nagaland on September 6, 1964.

However, peace was short-lived and the process ended in a deadlock with both sides resuming offensive. As the situation deteriorated, the church leaders convened a meeting with representatives of the both the government of India and the federal government of Nagaland in Dimapur on April 20, 1968.

Another peace conference was called on August 22, 1968, in Kohima. However, due to the indifferent attitude of the government of India, peace talks could not resume. As the situation worsened, the Nagaland Peace Council (NPC) was instituted by the NBCC in March 1974. Through the efforts of the council, the Shillong Accord was signed in 1975 and peace was restored in Nagaland.