Remembered as a peacebuilder, bridge-builder and voice of reconciliation
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 18
Condolences have poured in from political parties, civil society organisations, student bodies, Christian organisations and community groups following the passing of veteran Naga peace activist, thinker and social worker Niketu Iralu on August 18.
The messages remembered Iralu for his decades-long commitment to peace, reconciliation and dialogue, while also highlighting his work in addiction recovery, social reform, community engagement, writing and peacebuilding.
Kripa Foundation Nagaland
Kripa Foundation Nagaland highlighted Iralu’s role in pioneering addiction recovery work in Nagaland, recalling his facilitation of the partnership between the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) and Kripa Foundation in 1989 during his tenure as Director of Moral Re-Armament at Asia Plateau.
The foundation said Kripa Foundation entered Nagaland at the request of the NMA during a period marked by rampant drug addiction and severe societal challenges. The partnership subsequently led to the establishment of the NMA-Kripa “Mount Gilead Home” Rehabilitation Centre at Zubza, Kohima. It also noted that Nagaland’s first HIV case was detected the following year among injecting drug users at the centre.
Kripa Foundation credited Iralu’s leadership and the joint efforts of the NMA and Kripa with helping reduce stigma and denial around substance-use disorders and opening access to drug treatment and rehabilitation. It said the initiative adopted a holistic recovery approach addressing the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs of patients.
The foundation remembered Iralu as a “legendary Naga peace activist, social worker, and elder statesman” and a kind-hearted, down-to-earth and soft-spoken person whose courage and dedication made his passing an irreplaceable loss for Nagaland.
Nagaland Gorkha Association
The Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA) expressed profound sadness over Iralu’s passing, describing him as a distinguished peace activist whose lifetime of service and commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and harmony earned him respect among Naga and non-Naga communities alike.
The association recalled his role as a core guiding force in the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and his close association with Initiatives of Change, formerly Moral Re-Armament. It said his exemplary leadership and tireless advocacy for peace had left an enduring legacy that would continue to inspire those working for peace, justice and reconciliation.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer expressed grief over Iralu’s passing, remembering him as a Naga elder and tireless advocate for peace and reconciliation.
The Speaker recalled Iralu’s association with Initiatives of Change and its international peace work, and his commitment to transforming conflict through truth, forgiveness and reconciliation. He also highlighted his wisdom, courage, humility and service to the Naga people.
North East India Christian Council
The North East India Christian Council (NEICC) described Iralu as a distinguished Naga thinker, social scientist, peacebuilder and advocate of reconciliation whose life and work extended well beyond Nagaland and the North-East.
The council particularly recalled the years Iralu lived in Shillong, where he became a respected and trusted presence. It said people from different walks of life sought his counsel on personal, social, community and public matters, and that he was known for listening carefully, reflecting deeply and offering thoughtful and balanced advice. For many, it said, he became a trusted elder whose wisdom and friendship were valued across different sections of society.
The NEICC also highlighted Iralu’s ecumenical and inclusive outlook, noting that he related warmly to people across denominational, tribal, social, cultural and political lines. While remaining grounded in his own convictions, he engaged people with different perspectives with respect and openness and sought common ground without disregarding genuine differences.
The council further recalled his intellectual depth and knowledge of the Naga struggle, the political and historical realities of the region, Indigenous concerns and national and international affairs. It said this enabled him to place regional questions within wider contexts and engage complex issues with perspective.
On his peace work, the NEICC highlighted his contribution through the FNR and his belief that sustainable peace required more than resolving political differences; it also required rebuilding relationships and trust. Through dialogue, personal engagement, writing and quiet persuasion, he encouraged listening and reconciliation, particularly when divisions were deep.
Naga People’s Front
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) described Iralu as a “towering figure” whose life embodied compassion, courage and unwavering commitment to the Naga people.
It recalled him as a prominent voice for peace and reconciliation and a core guiding force in the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. The party said he dedicated himself selflessly to peace, healing and trust-building among the Nagas at a time when such efforts were most needed.
According to the NPF, Iralu used dialogue, forgiveness and moral clarity to become a voice of reason and a bridge between communities. His wisdom, humility and tireless service had inspired countless people across generations, it said, adding that his demise had left the Naga society without one of its sincere torchbearers of peace.
The party extended condolences to his family, friends and admirers and said the legacy of peace and unity he left behind should continue to guide the Naga people.
Naga Students’ Federation
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) mourned Iralu as a respected peace activist, visionary and steadfast leader of the Naga people.
It said he dedicated his life to the pursuit of peace, justice, reconciliation and the dignity of the Naga people, becoming a voice of conscience and hope through decades of committed service. The federation highlighted his contribution to the Naga peace process and his advocacy for dialogue, understanding and reconciliation.
The NSF said that when Nagas faced deep divisions and uncertainty, Iralu’s courage to speak for peace and his belief in reconciliation offered hope to generations.
For younger Nagas, the federation said, Iralu leaves a legacy of service, integrity, compassion and responsibility. It said his life demonstrated that true leadership was not measured by position or power but by the willingness to serve, sacrifice and work for the greater good.
The NSF joined the Naga people in paying tribute to a life devoted to public service, saying that although Iralu had departed, the values he upheld and the peace he sought would continue to inspire future generations.
United Christian Forum of North East India
The United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI) described Iralu as a respected Naga peacebuilder, thinker and lifelong advocate of reconciliation. It recalled his more than six decades of work in trust-building, dialogue and moral leadership, rooted in his Christian faith and his early encounter with the principles of Initiatives of Change, formerly Moral Re-Armament.
Fondly known across generations as “Uncle Niketu,” the forum said his service extended across continents but his heart remained with Nagaland and the wider North-East. It highlighted his work for peace among communities and healing of longstanding wounds.
The UCFNEI also recalled his role in the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and the countless private conversations held at the “House of Listening” he shared with his wife, Christine. It said Iralu embodied the values of peacemaking, humility and steadfast hope, and demonstrated that lasting change begins within the human heart and finds expression through patient listening and courageous truth-telling.
The forum extended condolences to Christine Iralu, the family and all who mourn his passing, and urged churches, leaders and people of goodwill across the region to renew their commitment to dialogue, justice and genuine peace.
Western Chakhesang Hoho
The Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) remembered Iralu as a Naga elder, veteran peace activist, scholar, thinker, writer and one of the enduring voices for peace and reconciliation.
It said he devoted his life to building bridges where there were divisions, encouraging dialogue where there was distrust, and reminding people of forgiveness, compassion and understanding.
The Hoho described him not only as a peace activist but also as a peacebuilder, social reformer, writer and moral voice whose writings, public engagement and advocacy encouraged Nagas to look beyond differences and seek healing through reconciliation, restitution and mutual understanding.
It described Iralu as a “gem of Naga society” and said his greatest legacy would remain in the lives he touched and the conversations he inspired around peace, dignity and shared responsibility. His passing, it said, left a deep void not only in the Naga peace movement but also in the wider moral and social life of Naga society.
Y Patton
Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton expressed grief over the demise of Iralu, describing him as a respected Naga peace activist, pacifist and social reformer.
Patton said Iralu was a dedicated voice of peace and reason who chose the path of non-violence, dialogue and mutual understanding. He highlighted Iralu’s decades of service to peace efforts in the region and abroad, saying he worked to heal divisions, bring different groups together and encourage people across communities to listen to one another with open hearts.
The Deputy Chief Minister also noted that Iralu’s honest approach and lifelong dedication to reconciliation had earned him respect across different sections of society, along with national and international honours. He extended condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and admirers and prayed for strength and comfort for them.
