DIMAPUR, Jan 6 � Against the backdrop of the recovery of nine bodies, Dimapur based civil societies have called for calm and tolerance from both the Karbi and Western Rengma communities against flaring communal tension and jeopardising good neighbourly relations.
The Dimapur based civil societies such as the Naga Council Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Women Hoho, Federation of Urban Village Council and Dimapur Naga Students� Union held a meeting with the visiting delegation of Karbi Anglong Peace Forum (KAPF) in the premises of the Dimapur District Hospital this afternoon. The KAPF had accompanied the family members and relatives who had come to identify their loved ones amongst the dead.
The discussion was primarily focused on maintaining brotherly relations between the Karbi and Naga communities as in the past. The two parties attributed the tragic incident to handiwork of anti-social elements aimed at creating communal tension between the two communities. They resolved that the present situation should not be allowed to drive a wedge between the two communities. All the members have unanimously condemned the killing of innocent civilians and called for peace and harmony.
The organisations have appealed to all the village council chairmen to provide security to the Karbi community living in Dimapur and also to report to the authority concerned in the event of such untoward incidents. They have also urged the Karbi Anglong counterparts to ensure security to the Nagas living in Karbi Anglong.
The KAPF has termed the killings in Chumukedima here as a barbaric incident. In a press release today, the KAPF has expressed its deep regret and shock over the brutal murder while expressing concern regarding the safety of innocent villagers living in Dimapur and around the border areas.
It also affirmed its commitment for peace at any cost. �While expressing our anguish regarding the unfortunate and unnecessary killings and arson, we, the Forum of all civil, students, and church organisations of Karbi Anglong, call upon the KPLT and NRHPF to immediately stop all confrontations with each other,� the KAPF said.
It further appealed to the general public of both the Karbi and Rengma tribes to condemn all violence, and to instill among themselves feelings of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence of all tribes and communities to prevent the situation from escalating.
The KAPF thanked the Naga Hoho, the Nagaland Government, the Dimapur district administration, and the Angami Students Union (ASU) for their timely help and assurance to provide security to the Karbi communities in Kohima, Dimapur, and elsewhere in Nagaland. It especially appreciated the Naga Hoho, Naga Students Federation, Naga Mothers� Association for their continued and earnest endeavour in working with KAPF for peace.
