Nagaland women hold candlelight vigil for peace in Manipur

More than two thousand people, mostly women, gathered at the Naga Shopping Arcade (Supermarket) in Dimapur on Friday for a candlelight vigil.

DIMAPUR — More than two thousand people, mostly women, gathered at the Naga Shopping Arcade (Supermarket) in Dimapur on Friday for a candlelight vigil, calling for the restoration of peace in Manipur, which has been in turmoil for more than three months now.

The vigil was organised by Dimapur Baptist Women Union and Naga Women Hoho Dimapur.

Speaking at the programme, president of Naga Women HOHO Dimapur, Neinuo Kire, expressed solidarity with all the people, be it Meiteis or Kukis, who are suffering under the tyranny of evil that is being perpetrated in Manipur.

Cruel and barbaric acts witnessed in the ongoing conflict have sparked outrage and bewilderment among the people, she said, adding that it is now time for reparation and restitution to prevail.

She appealed to all the people involved in this conflict to come together by putting aside personal and communal animosities, and work towards peace, harmony and healing that the people of Manipur truly deserve.

She opined that in such times of mindless tribulations, one can only find refuge in the words of God.

Khontele Seb, president of Dimapur Baptist Women Union, said the huge crowd is a message that Naga mothers and women support the call for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the neighbouring state.

Every religion in the world teaches people to live in peace and harmony, she said, adding that wars can only cause irreparable destruction and loss of lives.

“Today, we the Naga Women in particular and Naga people in general have gathered here to show our support and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Manipur,” she said.

“We cannot remain silent anymore when our sister state is burning endlessly and our brothers and sisters in Manipur are suffering untold atrocities,” she stated.

“It pains us to see hundreds and thousands of people, mostly women and children, fleeing from the brutal acts of violence to other states. It pains us to know that our sisters are being raped and their naked bodies paraded with disgrace. It pains us when our innocent elderly mothers and sisters are killed mercilessly,” she continued.

“We share the pain and sufferings of our sisters and brothers of Manipur and we strongly condemn the inhumane violence, rape, killing of innocent people, burning down of churches and demolition of houses,” she said.

She appealed to the central government and the state of Manipur to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.

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