Dimapur: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday welcomed the safe and humane release of the Kuki hostages by the United Naga Council and Naga civil society organisations, in response to the appeal made by church bodies led by the Baptist World Alliance.“I sincerely hope this development will contribute to restoring trust, healing divisions & paving the way for lasting peace in Manipur,” Rio said in a social post.He said this gesture reflects “our respect for human life, commitment to human rights & belief that even amidst conflict, humanity must prevail”.Rio said, “May this act of humanity serve as a reminder that dialogue, compassion and faith remain our most powerful instruments for reconciliation and peace.”He also once again appealed for the safe release of the six Naga hostages in a reciprocal and humanitarian manner so that they return to their loved ones. He hoped that this gesture will help pave the way for trust, understanding and dialogue as “we strive for genuine peace, reconciliation & harmony”.Over the past weeks, Rio said, he had several interactions and deliberations with representatives of Naga civil society groups in “our collective efforts” to resolve the impasse on humanitarian grounds and in the true spirit of Christian values.“It is our collective aspiration that harmony, fraternity and mutual understanding prevail, enabling all communities to move forward together in peace, equality and shared progress,” he stressed.
