The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on Thursday requested the all the churches to ring the church bell/chimes, crossing denominational lines, in all Naga areas at 12 noon on June 13 for 60 seconds to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Covenant of Reconciliation.
The FNR made the plea through the Joint Christian Forum of Nagaland and regional church councils/associations.
“By doing this, we are awakening our consciences and renewing our commitments to reconciliation and peace. Such an act is a spiritual speech that Nagas want peace to prevail and flourish, and reconcile to embrace a fuller humanity,” the FNR said in a release.
It also requested all the churches to pray for peace and reconciliation on Sunday (June 16) in all the churches and worship places.
The FNR believed that the symbolic participation for peace and reconciliation will be testimony to the world and will deepen the understanding of and commitment to its values and principles.
It recalled: “A decade ago we lived and witnessed Naga ‘factional’ bloodshed. It was an everyday affair.”
The signing of agreement on June 13, 2009, by top leaders of the Naga national political groups led to the end of factional killings and violence, it said.
The FNR said the citizens are witness to the positive steps the leaders have taken, although it was a small beginning.
While the path ahead is still in construction, the memory of what was our past and a deep desire to move on in the direction of continual transformation is the yearning of all citizens, it added.