By Elvish Haokip | Kukiland Express Desk
Kohima: May 5, 2026
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has appealed for a two-month halt to violence between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities in Manipur, urging both sides to use the period for dialogue and reconciliation. In a statement on Monday, the forum described the ongoing conflict as a serious threat to peace and livelihoods, affecting men, women, and children across both communities.
NJCF said competing narratives, often amplified by external voices and media, have deepened divisions and obscured shared human concerns. It appealed in the name of Christ for a cessation of hostilities from May 5 to July 5, framing the window as an opportunity for transformation rather than a temporary pause in fighting.
The forum called for an immediate end to armed confrontations and urged leaders, elders, and youth from both communities to refrain from inflammatory statements, propaganda, and divisive narratives in print, broadcast, and digital media. It emphasized addressing mistrust by fostering dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect in public and private spaces.
Highlighting the protection of vulnerable groups, NJCF asked for special measures to safeguard children, women, and the elderly during the proposed ceasefire. It also requested that public movement not be obstructed, with provisions to ensure schoolchildren, farmers, and travellers can go about daily life without fear or disruption.
Describing the initiative as a step toward long-term peace, the forum said the two-month period should be used to explore pathways for reconciliation, healing, and coexistence between the communities.
DISCLAIMER:This report is based on the official statement issued by the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum. The appeal reflects the views of the organisation and is part of ongoing discussions around peace efforts in the region.
