Bishop of Kohima James Thoppil, along with Tikhir and Yimkhiung priests and religious sisters, has appealed for peace, restraint and reconciliation amid tensions between the two communities in Kiphire and Shamator districts.
In an appeal issued on October 23, the Catholic Church in Nagaland expressed profound anguish over the recent unrest in the Pungro area and urged community leaders and tribal bodies to refrain from confrontation and resolve differences through peaceful dialogue and impartial mediation.
The Bishop stressed that reason, rather than emotion, must guide the decisions and actions of leaders during times of conflict. He urged all concerned to assess each incident individually and objectively instead of viewing it through a communal or tribal lens.
“Every incident must be examined on its own merits, without attributing a tribal dimension to an isolated occurrence,” the appeal stated.
The Bishop said Nagas could not achieve unity, cohesion and lasting solidarity if every incident was interpreted through tribal affiliation.
Emphasising the importance of dialogue, he said it provided an opportunity to express grievances, clarify misunderstandings and rebuild mutual trust. Sustainable peace, he said, required a willingness to listen to one another, acknowledge genuine concerns and resolve differences without resorting to violence.
The appeal urged all concerned to choose dialogue over confrontation and reconciliation over division, stressing the importance of safeguarding the well-being of present and future generations.
It also called on civil society organisations, community elders, youth and the general public to play an active role in promoting peace and harmony. They were urged to encourage responsible communication, refrain from spreading inflammatory statements and foster mutual understanding and trust.
Reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to peacebuilding, peaceful coexistence and the dignity of every human person, Bishop Thoppil, together with the Tikhir and Yimkhiung priests and religious sisters, appealed for mutual respect, restraint and a shared determination to pursue peace.
The appeal comes amid tensions between the Yimkhiung and Tikhir communities following violence earlier this month that left one person dead and another injured, with houses also burnt or vandalised in affected areas, according to an October 11 update from the Nagaland government.
The appeal concluded with the biblical verse: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
