Over three thousand people led by Frontal Integrated Ranges of Meranger and Sensolikum (FIRMS) Friday held a rally protesting at DC Court junction against the recent killing of Supongtemjen Pongen allegedly by Assam Police personnel in a jungle near Indisen village (Dimapur) on April 30.
Addressing the rally, FIRMS chairman Temjen Jamir said since the attainment of statehood, Naga people have been practicing jhum cultivation in the area areas bordering Assam. Temjen alleged that Assam government has given recognition to villages under the forests in border areas to Nepalis, Advasis and illegal Bangladeshi settlers.
He asked why the state government could not do anything when Assam government allowed non-locals to settle in the disputed area. He also questioned Dimapur district administration and asked where the administration was when Supongtemjen was killed.
He said state government did not respond as expected to any of the issues starting from February 11 where border discussions between Assam police regarding pillar post No 17 took place.
Former candidate Moatoshi Longkumer said that brutality of Assam police on Nagas has been going on for quite some time. He challenged the protesters stating: “are we going to tolerate this forever.” He also called upon the state government to revoke the Assam-Nagaland Interim Border Agreement signed in 1972.
Naga council Dimapur president T. Bangerloba Ao while condemning the murder of Supongtemjen said Naga people should not leave the culprits. “Nagas have all right to protest, to bring the culprits into custody”, he said and requested state government to award compensation to the family of Supongtemjen.
Nagaland Tribal Council acting president Lendinoktang Ao also questioned the authority for not taking up the issue of “murder and torture” of Supongtemjen by Assam police.
Central Nagaland Tribes Council president Ntsemo Ngullie said government has been elected by the people and government had the responsibility to look after the grievances of the citizens.
In the memorandum, FIRMS stated that boundary between Karbi Anglong district and Dimapur district has been Lengri River which till date has not been disputed by either side. In a separate representation submitted to Nagaland Human Rights Commission, FIRMS demanded setting up an inquiry committee and awarding suitable punishment to those involved in the murder.
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