\n ANSAM president David Adani Choro, general secretary Reisangpem Shaiza; president Senapati District Students\u2019 Association Kuba Peter, chairman Zeliangrong Students\u2019 Union Manipur G.H.Newmeh, president Naga Students Union Chandel S. K. Stephen and president Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong P.R.Jordan said the siege on the NSCN(I-M)camp in Shirui village by the \u2018Indian Armed Forces(17 Assam Rifles)\u2019 could result in \u201chuge loss of lives and properties of innocent civilians.\u201d
\nFurther the signatories have accused the 17 Assam Rifles of laying siege on the camp with \u201cheavy artilleries\u201d stationed in and around the village and occupying a private residential courtyard, village panchayat hall, IFAD resort centre besides demanding cooking utensil, plate and collection of firewood all which have led to shifting of children to nearby Ukhrul.
\nThe signatories said the NSCN(I-M)camp had been established a few years back and also visited by the \u201cIndian Armed forces on one to two occasions\u201d.
\nIt was also stated that the siege had adversely affected students appearing examinations as well as leading to cancellation of the scared \u2018Seed Sowing festival\u2019 that might lead to the Naga belief of \u201cfamine and other undesirable consequences.\u201d
\nThe signatories said in affirmation of the commitment to resolve the \u201cIndo-Naga conflict through peaceful negotiated settlement\u201d, the women folk of surrounding villages had staged a \u201cpeaceful sit-in protest in Mahatma Gandhi square\u201d to signify their commitment to non violent resolution in Ukhrul town \u201cto avoid possible armed conflict.\u201d
\nThey also termed as uncalled for, the statement purportedly made by the DIG 10 Sector, Assam Rifles that there is no cease fire in Manipur despite the currency of the cease fire for 12 years since 1997.
\nStating that the cease fire was between the Government of India and the NSCN, the signatories appealed to both parties to adhere to the cease fire agreement \u201cin letter and spirit\u201d.
\nFurther, they also appealed to all to support the \u201chard won peace talk and to shun violence\u201d but urged Nagas not to \u201csuccumb to hardship\u201d but exhibit \u201ctraditional endurance and magnanimity\u201d.
\nThe signatories have also appealed to Nagas that the show of endurance should not be \u201cmistaken as a sign of weakness\u201d and that such \u201cviolent attitude\u201d being shown , would leave them with no option but to resort to \u201cavailable democratic means\u201d for which \u201cour elders\u201d had laid down their lives for the \u201csacred noble cause\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"