Following the State government’s ‘special request’, Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs) have softened their stand of completely boycotting the upcoming Republic Day celebrations and allow unfurling of the national flag at government offices. This was decided at the Konyak Union (KU) advisory board meeting on Saturday.
They however declared that Konyak citizens would completely abstain from participating in the Republic Day celebrations and asked every Konyak to strictly adhere to the regulation.
In a communiqué, the CSOs appealed to the State government to shoulder the entire responsibility of ensuring that no stone was left unturned to deliver justice in December 4 and 5 incidents in Mon without much delay.
Terming non-deliverance of justice even after lapse of 50 days as nothing but a delaying tactic, they reminded that the Konyaks in their memorandum to President of India had clearly stated that “All ranks and files involved in massacring 14 Konyak innocent lives must be booked immediately before applicable civil court and the justice taken report must be brought before the public domain by 25th Jan 2022”. Hence, considering the demand, KU declared that justice delayed was justice denied and resolved that every Konyak citizen must completely abstain from Republic Day celebrations within its customary jurisdiction as a sign of resentment and a fight for justice.
Questioning the logic of celebrating Republic Day when justice was still denied, the union asked the Centre whether the day was not celebrated to mark the historic occasion of India transforming into a democratic republic. Further, asking why the Centre was shying away when Indian Army massacred its own citizens and the culprits were scot-free, the union wondered whether “we” were the citizens of India too.
Declaring that “we” better die in dignity than be massacred and left unattended, KU also wondered whether lives and dignity of Indian citizens were not protected through the Constitution of India, the world’s lengthiest written constitution.
The communiqué mentioned that Indian constitution began with Preamble, but asked why it dimmed so suddenly and who should be held accountable for murdering the “Right to Life and Personal Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Oneness and unity/Union” envisaged there.
“Why have you massacred our innocent brothers/sons who were returning home to their old parents, newly-wed wives and children after a weeklong sweat and hard earning? Isn’t Justice delayed a justice denied?” the communiqué asked.
KU declared that denial of the Preamble was nothing but a devastation that was more severe than any pandemic the world had ever faced.
Hence, in accordance with the declaration and directives of Konyak CSOs, the meeting empowered respective units of KU and subordinating and federating units of Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) to ensure strict adherence to the non-cooperation regulation during the Republic Day.
The CSO further directed entire citizens – public, students, government servants and politician – to completely abstain from participating in the Republic Day programmes within their jurisdiction. They declared that any individual or group defying their directive would be considered a traitor and action would be taken as per the law of the land.
The CSO further appealed to the citizen to avoid any form of violence, but show utmost resentment democratically. They also urged the district administration and law enforcing authority to honour the sentiments of the Konyaks and the 14 innocent Konyak youth massacred by Indian Armed Forces, adding that honouring their precautionary advices would be highly appreciated.
While serving restriction directives exclusively to Konyak citizens, the CSO also appealed to all non-Konyak citizens and officers posted and stationed within Konyak soil to uphold the sentiments of the people as per the regulation since December 6, 2021 or may be acquired from their offices 24×7.
Meanwhile, KU expressed dismay over the State government not including Aboi and Tobu as districts in the December 18 declaration.
Expressing shock over the inhuman attitude of the State Cabinet as creating new districts overshadowed the December 4 and 5 massacres, the union regretted that, to add more salt to the wound, the oldest district demands (Aboi and Tobu) were never considered while creating new districts in the State when the entire Konyak community was still in a state of deep shock.
However, reconsidering what had happened, KU once again placed its unfreezing trust before the State government to uphold the banner “justice for all” and insisted that the government must attend to the call of the Konyak for creation of new districts immediately. In this regard, the union called upon all Konyak legislators to immediately convene a meeting before the situation got out of hand.
Leave a Reply