Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) representatives met with top functionaries of NSCN (K) on August 31, at the latter’s camp, a few kilometres inside Myanmar, after the date had to be extended due to the bloody August 28 incident at Pangsha ITC, where a total of eight that included civilians and NSCN(K) members died in an ambush by Security Forces.
Briefing media persons about their recent trip to meet with NSCN(K) leaders, here Thursday, NMA advisor Rosemary Dzüvichu revealed, that the mothers had arrived at the venue on August 30 evening for the formal meeting the next day with top functionaries of the NSCN(K).
She said during the hour-long meeting, NMA appealed to NSCN (K) leaders to renew the cease fire and apprised it of consequent militarisation where armed confrontation, counter-killings had affected people in every corner of Nagaland after abrogation of cease fire. Expressing deep sorrow over loss of lives, NMA however appealed to the NSCN(K) not to resort to retaliation as it would only enlarge the cycle of violence.
It was also made known to NSCN(K) that unless a peaceful dialogue was opted, “we are going to have a continuous problem”.
Rosemary also said that NSCN(K) leaders maintained that they were neither for or against the Peace Accord of August 3. She said raised hope that Nagas can go ahead with the ongoing peace initiatives.
She told the media persons, that the strength and capability of NSCN(K) could not be undermined since it headed an alliance of various north east militant groups and also because NSCN(K) comprised of Naga sons and daughters. Rosemary appealed to Nagas to build a congenial atmosphere for inclusion of all groups in the peace process.
At the meeting, she said NMA expressed concern over forced recruitment of children but that the mothers were made to understand, it was not as what was largely understood in other parts of Nagaland. She said in Eastern Nagaland, there was a trend where families sent at least one child to work for the nation and NSCN(K) recruited who chose to join it.
The NMA advisor said the Naga homeland was much more beyond the borders and NSCN(K) was not only for independence or freedom but also concern for the people living in abject poverty in those areas.
NMA president Abei-u Meru said NMA was surprised, that even after the tragic August 28 incident, NSCN(K) was still willing to meet them. She said the meeting was positive and there was hope of holding future meetings. She said NMA delegation halted for the night in the camp.
NMA secretary Vilanuo Yhome said that unlike other groups, the NSCN(K) was completely cut off. She said NMA also pleaded with the NSCN(K) to heed to the voice of the Nagas if they were for the people. Yhome said there was a communication gap that divided people from the NSCN(K). NMA office bearers contradicted the version of the Assam Rifles on September 3 along with photos over the August 28 incident.
They said NMA delegation submitted their findings to the Assam Rifles in Noklak over the incident that took place at the Pangsha ITC. They said the ambush site was an open space where no one could either hide or run away.
NMA said AR targeted a vehicle on learning that the wife of one NSCN(K) leader was inside as the AR thought the husband was also inside.
NMA expressed outrage at the indiscriminate firing and use of grenades. They said the security forces aimed at the heads of the passengers when they tried to duck underneath. NMA alleged that one young victim who was unhurt , was pulled out and shot on the head despite his pleas that he was a civilian.
According to NMA, most of the security personnel involved, spoke fluent Nagamese and so could not be non-locals. They said it was a serious matter if AR was using local jawans or other groups in disguise.
Further, NMA said a health worker who was to attend a health camp in Pangsha was also injured. They said a doctor who was trying to take the injured victims to Noklak was stopped by the AR as one of them was the wife of NSCN(K) leader Isak Sumi. However, NMA said the doctor prevailed and took all the injured to Noklak.
NMA said blood stains were still visible in the vehicles at the ambush site, including a large quantity of water bottles, which were purchased at Noklak.
Harassed: NMA said they were harassed and interrogated by administrative and police officers in Noklak on their return after the meeting with NSCN(K).
They said NMA kept in touch with NSCN(K) after abrogation of cease fire to hold a meeting. NMA said NSCN(K) wanted to meet the mothers before meeting ENPO and Naga Hoho. NMA disclosed, that they rode on bikes provided by villagers at Pangsha under incessant rains through massive landslides on the way. They expressed gratitude to Pangsha village chairman and villagers who took them on five bikes to Pangsha ITC.
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