• Stories from Kiphire emerge in Dimapur
• Students in dire straits
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 17
Yimchungrü citizens who had to vacate Kiphire town following the February 6 killing of a couple near Rurur village in Shamator sub-division and the violent aftermath in Kiphire town, are yet to reconcile to circumstances that led to their sudden displacement.
“We are suffering. As innocent public we were caught unawares by the arson and wanton destruction of our property and assets in Kiphire town. Because a heinous crime was committed by unidentified miscreants in Shamator sub-division, hundreds of Yimchungrü families settled in Kiphire town have been forced to leave for no fault of theirs,” said a Yimchungrü leader.
At a press briefing held Wednesday afternoon here at Circuit House, some of the displaced citizens narrated their woes and frustrations. According to them, around 200 Yimchungrü families residing in Kiphire town were compelled to leave everything behind including clothes, documents and livestock. “We heard that our last remaining house was damaged today around 1 pm,” said one displaced person.
A woman whose house was the first to be targeted by the mob on February 7 morning said she was returning from the Sunday service when the mob attacked her house. “I just had time enough to gather my three children and flee to Pungro. Later I heard from neighbours that the house was damaged and every single piece of clothing burnt,” she narrated.
However, the displaced parents worry most about the fate of hundreds of school children who face an uncertain future. “Yes, properties worth lakhs of rupees have been destroyed, but what about the future of our children who are appearing board exams? What about the books and educational documents that have been destroyed? Can the State Government or community concerned compensate the irreparable damage and trauma inflicted on the innocent students?” asked one parent.
According to an executive member of Yimchungrü Students’ Union, Kiphire, more than 800 school children have been uprooted with 110 students appearing Class X, XI and XII board exams at Pungro through temporary arrangement.
“These students are appearing exams without textbooks. Parents of students are also facing financial problems for admission in other schools. At Pungro, some schools have admitted these students on credit,” the student leader said. The displaced citizens have squarely blamed the exodus to the laxity of the State Government, the District administration and police, to pre-empt and check the violent aftermath.
“Even as the mob went on rampage and took the law into their own hands, the district administration and police remained mute spectators. We also wonder at the silence of other Naga brethrens to the mindless violence triggered by mere suspicion of the tribal identity of the killers of the couple. We equally condemn the heinous crime and if the miscreants ascertained to be from our community, then we will leave no stone unturned to hand over the killers to appropriate authority,” said an executive of Yimchungrü Tribal Union, Kiphire.
A woman church leader also said the Nagaland Baptist Church Council have so far not commented on the destruction of documents and assets of the women department of the Yimchungrü Baptist Church Kiphire town. “Since the incident, the doors of the church have remained closed. Why is NBCC silent on this?” she asked.
Meanwhile, Yimchungrü leaders and parents have earnestly appealed to education institutions, especially in Dimapur and Kohima, to give admission to the displaced students on humanitarian ground.
Silent peace march today
The Yimchungrü citizens residing in the western belt under the aegis of the Western Yimchungrü Hoho is organizing a silent peace march in Dimapur town on Thursday (February 18). President WYH, PKF Tochu, informed that the silent procession would be held to protest the February 6 murder of a couple between Kiphire and Shamator; rampant mob violence in Kiphire town continuing till date, “indiscriminate firing by security forces” in Shamator town and consequent injury of innocent students and public.
“The public will gather at DC Court Junction at 11 am to 12 noon and proceed to the office of the deputy commissioner, for submission of a charter of demand to the competent authority through the DC Dimapur,” WYH informed.
