Aizawl/Shillong/Kohima, Dec 25 : Christmas is a season of joy and festivities for most of the northeastern states, but in Nagaland the celebrations were subdued this year due to the killing of 14 civilians by the armed forces personnel on December 4 and 5.The villager Oting, Mon District of Nagaland organized a midnight prayer.
They laid wreaths and flowers and read verses from the Bible.It took place on Friday at the mass grave where loved ones were buried.
Christmas has been a special time in our lives for many years.The festivity is shared with everyone.
However, this Christmas, we feel saddened, and Christmas has turned into grief as our sons, and their family members,” Chemwang Konyak of Oting village said.
On Saturday, villagers carried signs calling for justice and demanding the repeal of 1958’s Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Due to the Mon district murders, Christmas celebrations were also low-key in Nagaland.
Nagaland’s Planning and Coordination Department requested that people celebrate an environment-friendly and sustainable Christmas.
A department official stated that this campaign’s main objective is aligning the celebrations of Christmas with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to inspire action from Nagaland residents to make this Christmas, and all other Christmases, more sustainable.
The Christmas celebrations, particularly in Meghalaya, Mizoram and other northeast regions, were vibrant and lively.
Many colourful flowers, lights and Christian motifs were used to illuminate the churches and houses.
The eight northeastern States, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Mizoram have large Christian populations.
They were filled with joy and enthusiasm in their churches.
According to church leaders, special prayers are being offered and carols performed every night since Friday.
Telecasting of the celebrations and prayers at the churches has been done by local cable TV channels as well as various social media platforms.
Mizoram and Meghalaya, along with other northeastern countries looked stunning as they celebrated Christmas mass and lit the streets beautifully from Friday night.
Mizoram’s Christmas celebration and Carols for the Community were held under strict Covid restrictions.This was due to the high Covid-19 positiveity rate.
Mizoram will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Christmas, which was celebrated in the first year by colonial British soldiers back 1871.
A 47-foot Assam Rifles Christmas tree was erected by troopers ahead of Christmas at Lunglei, Mizoram.
Conrad K.Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and Zoramthanga his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga sent Christmas wishes to everyone via social media.
Many state governments of the Northeastern Region have declared holidays over several days to allow people to enjoy Christmas celebrations in a limited number.
Also, Christmas was celebrated in Tripura, Manipur, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, while adhering to Covid-19 protocol and restraints.
More than six million Christians are living in Mizoram and Nagaland.There is also a substantial number of Christians in other northeastern states like Tripura, Assam or Arunachal Pradesh.
The churches in Mizoram and Nagaland play an important role in the culture and life of their people.
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