Peace accord signed by 3 groups in Nagaland state

DIMAPUR, India — The Baptist World Alliance congratulated the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) on the signing of a peace accord between three nationalist groups in the northeast Indian state of Nagaland on Sept. 18.

For decades, the three groups have been in conflict with each other and with the Indian government over issues of autonomy and sovereignty for Nagaland state and the Naga people. Between 1992 and 2009, more than 2,330 insurgency-related fatalities were recorded in Nagaland. As a result of the longstanding disputes, which date back more than 50 years, exceptionally tight security has been imposed on the state by the Indian government, with multiple checkpoints scattered throughout the state. International visitors require special permits to enter and move around Nagaland.

A release from the FNR claimed that the leaders pledged to “end all violence and bloodshed amongst the Nagas.” The meetings and the resulting covenant, the release said, were in response to “the deep yearning of the Naga people” and that Sept. 18 “will go down as another ‘historic landmark’ in the struggle for Naga rights.”

There are about 600,000 Baptists in Nagaland, representing approximately 90 percent of ethnic Nagas in the state. The FNR comprises several organizations, including Baptist groups, all of which pledged to work to end the conflicts.