Naga Hoho (NH), Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) held a joint meeting Sunday in Dimapur to discuss the prevailing situations in Zunheboto and Rengma Hills, Karbi Anglong.
In a press release, NH president P. Chuba Ozukum, NMA president Abei-u Meru and NSF president Tongpang Ozukum said the joint meeting once again strongly condemned the December 21 incident near Zunheboto and also the threat and violence meted out by Karbi militants to Rengma Nagas in Karbi Anglong.
The three organizations also met NSCN (I-M) top leaders at Cease-fire Monitoring Cell, 4th Mile Dimapur and demanded to hand over the “culprits” involved in the December 21 incident to the administration through the civil societies in order to prevent the situation from further flaring up.
However it was quiet unfortunate that the NSCN (I-M) leaders could not give any “positive response” to the demand, rather they have referred the matter to the collective leadership, said the three organizations.
The organizations said “an ultimatum was sent to the collective leadership” to consider the demand in order to solve the situation “which they themselves have created.”
Meanwhile, a delegation comprising of member from NH, NMA and NSF would leave for Zunheboto to express solidarity with the people there. Another delegation of the three organizations would also leave for Guwahati to meet the Assam chief minister and apprise him of the sufferings of Rengma Nagas in Karbi Anglong.
Orgns condemn
SBC: Sumi Baptist Convention (SBC), the apex body of all Sumi Baptist associations, vehemently condemned the “shocking incident” that happened on December the 21 at Aghuyito Village junction where all the innocent passengers were harassed, tortured and the female passengers molested and harassed both mentally and physically by NSCN (I-M) armed cadres.
In a statement, SBC director Rev. Dr. Khehovi Shohe and president Ghovili Achumi termed the incident as “most inhuman and barbaric.” The two said that the missionary who was working away from home and coming back to celebrate Christmas with her family was greeted with a “bitter life experience” in the land of her own home. “The act was highly condemnable, unbecoming and uncultured in the decent society and the land we are living today where Love is taught not only among brothers but also to love our enemies as well”, said SBC.
The SBC director and the president reminded the people’s slogan “Nagaland for Christ” and urge all believers to stand for truth and to love one another.
CNTC: Central Nagaland Tribal Council (CNTC) has out rightly condemned the December 21 incident at Aghuito town area. In a statement, CNTC president Ntsemo Ngullie and general secretary Imtinochet said the council condemns “the outrageous act of NSCN (I-M) cadres who had demonstrated their beastly act” upon our own innocent sisters “in defying their chastity and brutally beating up their co-passengers, without any rhyme or reasons”.
CNTC said “their act manifest defying all norms of civilized society and betrayed their organization to be called the National Workers, instead demonstrated as tormentors of the public”.
CNTC meanwhile “extended its solidarity with the Sumi brothers at this hour in their fight for justice”.
ASTD: Ao Senso Telongjem, Dimapur (ASTD) has strongly condemned the assault and molestation of two female passengers and other co-passengers at Aghuito junction near Zunheboto on December 21 by a group of four armed cadres in the wee hours.
In a statement, ASTD president Supu Jamir and general secretary C. Onen Walling described the incident as “unimaginable” and said it came at a time when families were awaiting Christmas and New Year.
ASTD also said that it was “unfortunate” for all that due to confrontation between Sumi public and NSCN (I-M) cadres, one innocent civilian was killed while others sustained injuries on December 28. The organization appealed to the responsible authority to honour the Sumi public demands and to resolve the issue so as to maintain peace in a true Christian spirit and mutual respect.
ASTD also expressed sympathy for the victims of both December 21 and December 28 incidents and prayed for their speedy recoveries. The organization also conveyed condolence to the bereaved family of the deceased Paketo Swu from Zunheboto town.
SMF: Sumi Missionaries Fellowship (SMF) has condemned the December 21 incident where “national freedom fighters” NSCN (I-M) cadres molested and tortured one of the Sumi missionary and her co-passengers.
In a statement, the SMF president Tohekhu Sumi, vice president Jetovi Chishi and general secretary Jesica Achumi said the incident was “an utterly shameful thing” for Nagas and the inhuman act was committed against a missionary in “Nagaland for Christ.”
SMF urged all to condemn the act and further appealed the responsible authority to hand over the culprit(s) to the district administration for appropriate action.
KLH: While condemning the actions of the four armed NSCN (I-M) cadres on December 21, Kohima Lotha Hoho (KLH) appealed “right thinking members of NSCN (I-M) to take urgent corrective measures as demanded by the Sumi organizations to prevent further deterioration of the extremely volatile situation”.
In a statement, KLH chairman Nchumbemo Tungoe and general secretary Thunglamo Ovung said “No other interest but Justice must be the focal point in resolving the issue”.
The incident, KLH said was an act of shame not only to the NSCN (I-M) but also the entire Naga society
KLH said the hoho shares the pain of the innocent victims and express solidarity with the people of Zunheboto.
Meanwhile, KLH also expressed anguish “at the inhuman treatment meted out to the innocent Rengma Nagas in Karbi Anglong by the KPLT”.
It said “the unilateral action of KPLT causing death, burning down villages, destroying livelihood and displacing people from their homes and hearths is highly unforgivable”. The hoho appealed Assam government to bring justice at the earliest for peaceful co-existence.