NPMHR: Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has said there appeared to be a clash of interest between India’s political leadership and her military establishment, as far as resolving the Naga political issue was concerned.
Over the years, the NPMHR said India’s political leaders, cutting across party affiliations, especially during the last fifteen years, have generally demonstrated the will to resolve the issue through a process of dialogue.However, it said the approach of India’s military, especially the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary setup to deal with internal strife during the British about 177 years ago, left one to question the overall motives of India.
The Naga human rights body said India’s military continued to “function with immunity,” protected by Armed Forces Special Powers Act, and infringed on even the basic rights of civilians.
Quoting reports of increased surveillance, including house raids, frisking and arrests all over Naga areas by Assam Rifles, the NPMHR said AR that operates under the command of India’s home ministry and army, were “supposed to be ‘aiding’ civil authority and not take upon itself the job of ‘policing’.”
It said even high ranking Nagaland government officials were being subjected to frisking in places such as Kiphire, even as there was increased movement of troops in Naga areas including Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Dimapur and elsewhere.
Calling upon “Indian representatives” to press forward for a resolution of the Naga issue, the NPMHR expressed belief that the gains made in dialogue processes with different Naga national groups were leading to “increasing the level of trust among Nagas and Indians.”
According to rights group, the one important step towards strengthening it was to “rein in ‘The Friends of the Hill People’ and halt its provocative tendencies against Naga national groups.” The NPMHR asserted it considered the ongoing campaign against the NSCN (I-M) as a serious breach of trust between entities that agreed to a ceasefire and agreed to sit across the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, the NPMHR also urged the “Naga national groups” to exercise restraint in the face of actions by India’s security agencies that were apparently tuned to provoke.
NPMHR said it also called for “continued vigil over designs” that were aimed at “denying the Nagas to reconcile, integrate and live together as one nation.”
NCD, citizens’ forum meet CFMG chairman
Meanwhile, NCD president informed that following discussion on the current crisis at Hebron with DC and SP Dimapur, members of NCD and Citizens’ Forum met the chairman of Cease Fire Monitoring Group Maj. Gen. N. George and his members at Police Complex, Chumukedima. He stated that NCD and Citizens’ Forum have urged the CFMG to withdraw all forces posted and barricading roads near Hebron as the army offensive has disturbed normal public life for three days, rendering local residents unable to commute or purchase ration.
In this connection, NCD and DCCF submitted a letter of appeal to chairman CFMG and a copy of the same to the Union Home Minister, chief minister Nagaland, home minister Nagaland, chief secretary Nagaland, DGP Nagaland, DC Dimapur and SP Dimapur.
The release also stated that the team of NCD and Citizens’ Forum visited local areas near Hebron and later joined the public meeting at Steering Committee Conference Hall, Hebron to appeal for peace and coordination towards general welfare of all citizens.
Dmu civil societies appeal CFMG chief
Drawing attention of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) chairman towards hardship faced by civilians following April 19 incident at Hebron, Dimapur civil societies Saturday appealed to the CFMG chairman to intervene and withdraw security forces from the said area immediately.
The civil organizations of Dimapur including Dimapur District Citizen’s Forum (DDCF), Naga council Dimapur (NCD) and Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD), in a joint letter to CFMG chairman, said April 19 incident at Hebron, where five AR personnel have intruded into the Hebron designated camp area, in its aftermath, have caused immense hardship to innocent civilians in and around the Hebron area due to military offensive by the 29 AR such as blocking of movement of both human and vehicles, frisking, threatening civilians, etc, due to which public were unable to conduct normal life or even purchase ration.
In the light of the above, the civil societies, on behalf of the suffering public, submitted an appeal to CFMG chairman so as to resolve the impasse by carrying out following initiatives.
They said offensive operations be withdrawn immediately and that proper military briefing and orientation be given to concerned post commandants/in-charges as the root cause of the current crisis was “understood” to have cropped up due to a “recce” that encroached Hebron designated camp, which in itself was a natural recipe for conflict as it clearly violated laid down CF ground rules.
The impasse arose due to ignorance or lack of professional orientation of concerned officers, reportedly Col Rakesh and Maj. Sukanta of 29 AR. Professional ignorance has caused great misery to public and has all potentiality to cause even bloodshed.
The civil societies also stated that any matter pertaining to the seized arms be settled among 29 AR and NSCN (I-M) by properly addressing the issue by competent authorities through CFMG office and that the said issue not be unduly exploited to create further misery upon innocent and hapless citizens most of whom have not slept neither have eaten properly for last three days.
The letter was submitted by DDCF president Hokiye Yepthomi, DDCF vice president Y Kikon, NCD president Savi Liegise, NCD vice president adm Vikato Zhimomi, Naga NWHD president Hukheli Wotsa and NWHD general secretary Ntsemo Ngullie.
WYH condemns AR act
Western Yimchungru Hoho (WYH) Saturday strongly condemned the act of Assam Rifles (AR) that ventured into close proximity to NSCN (I-M)’s Hebron Camp April 19, saying the act of Assam Rifles was against ceasefire ground rules (CFGR). In a statement, WYH information and publicity secretary Matthew K Janger said Nagas were expecting positive response from the government of India, whereas the AR was trying to create bad situation in the region. WYH appealed to the AR and Naga political groups to respect the ground rules and aspiration of Naga people.
RELATED POSTS
View all
