Niketu Iralu, a prominent peace activist from Nagaland, passed away on Tuesday in New Delhi. The nonagenarian had been undergoing treatment at BLK Hospital in New Delhi. For decades, Iralu worked to encourage dialogue between communities and political groups, and remained closely associated with efforts to address divisions within Naga society.
He played a key role in the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and served as chairperson of the Naga Reconciliation Commission. His contributions to peace and reconciliation were recognized through several awards, including the IofC Lifetime Achiever Award, the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Integration Award, the Distinguished Senior Citizens Award, and the Rotary Peace Award. The United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI) has expressed profound sorrow at Iralu’s passing, describing him as a lifelong advocate of reconciliation who dedicated over six decades of his life to trust-building, dialogue, and moral leadership.
The UCFNEI spokesperson, Allen Brooks, recalled Iralu’s commitment to personal honesty, forgiveness, and the hard path of reconciliation, and thanked God for the gift of his life and for the seeds of peace he sowed so faithfully. The UCFNEI has extended its deepest condolences to Iralu’s family and all who grieve his loss, and urged believers, church leaders, and people of goodwill to continue his work of promoting peace and reconciliation in the region.
