Kohima, May 4, 2026: Amid escalating tensions between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities in Manipur, the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has issued an urgent appeal for a two-month cessation of violence to enable dialogue and reconciliation.
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In a statement released on Monday, the forum described the ongoing conflict as a serious threat to peace and livelihoods, affecting people across communities, including women, children, and the elderly.
The NJCF called on both sides to observe a halt in hostilities from May 5 to July 5, stressing that the period should be used as an opportunity for meaningful engagement and transformation rather than a temporary pause.
The forum urged an immediate end to armed confrontations and appealed to all parties to refrain from inflammatory statements, propaganda, and divisive narratives across media platforms.
Highlighting growing mistrust, the NJCF encouraged community leaders, elders, and youth to actively promote dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect in both public and private spaces.
The forum underscored the need to safeguard vulnerable groups, including children, women, and the elderly, and called for measures to ensure their safety during the proposed cessation period.
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It also appealed for unhindered public movement, urging that schoolchildren, farmers, and travellers be allowed to carry on with their daily activities without fear or disruption.
Describing the appeal as a step toward long-term peace, the NJCF said the proposed ceasefire period should be used to explore pathways for reconciliation, healing, and peaceful coexistence between the communities.
The appeal comes at a time of heightened tensions in parts of Manipur’s hill districts, with calls growing for dialogue and de-escalation.
