NJCF visits Manipur to offer solidarity

IMPHAL— Ten days after a candlelight vigil for Manipur was held in Kohima, at least a dozen concerned citizens from Nagaland under the aegis of Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) visited Manipur on Thursday to offer friendship and solidarity with the people of the state.

On reaching Imphal, the NJCF team led by Rev. Dr. Wati Aier of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) held a ‘Joint prayer for peace in Manipur’ with the Inter-Faith Forum for Peace and Harmony Manipur at Manipur Press Club.

“We have come to offer our friendship, show commitment to end the escalating violence and express our empathy and solidarity with the people of Manipur,” said Rev. Aier, reading out a joint statement of NJCF, Fellowship of Naga Baptist Churches (FNBC) and FNR during the brief prayer session.

The FNR convenor also informed that churches in Nagaland have undertaken candlelight vigil and prayers for Manipur “because we’re of the same stock.”

Reminding on the candlelight vigil held in Kohima, Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao of FNBC told this newspaper that people of Nagaland will continue to pray for peace in Manipur.

It maybe mentioned that on June 25, a ‘Candlelight vigil: standing in prayer for Manipur’ was observed in Kohima at Nagaland Baptist Church Council Convention Centre, under the aegis of Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship.

During the vigil, participants held placards that read ‘Stop Killing,’ ‘High time for Government to Act,’ ‘We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Manipur,’ and ‘Stop spreading hate speech’, etc.

Manipur has witnessed ethnic tension since May 3 after clashes errupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities, leaving more than 120 persons dead, over 300 injured, thousands of houses destroyed and more than 50,000 people displaced.

Also read: Manipur violence: With love and prayers from Kohima