Photo Courtesy: Zhazho Miachieo
NSF calls for total shut-down from 6:00 AM till 12 Noon today
Dimapur, December 5 (MExN): Civil society organisations and tribal hohos put up a united front in condemning the killing of civilians in Tiru-Oting road under Tizit and Naganimora sub-divisions of Mon district on December 4. Several organisations also made appeals to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and also announced withdrawal of participation from the ongoing Hornbill Festival.
ENPO: Condemning the incident, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) directed all the six eastern Naga tribes to abstain from participating in the Festival. It also declared total bandh from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in the Eastern Nagaland jurisdiction on December 6. District Administration, Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Medical department, students who are appearing different exams, media persons, banking services and postal services are being exempted from the proposed bandh.
“It is very disheartening and painful when every section of society is striving for peaceful settlement of prolonged Naga political issue; the security forces are detrimental for the peaceful co-existence of the people,” it said while adding that the personnel responsible for the barbaric act should be brought to justice without any further delay.
The ENPO shares deep sorrow with bereaved family members and prays for the eternal rest of the victims and speedy recovery for the injured, it added.
NSF: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), while condemning the killing of civilians, put across an appeal to the Naga people cutting across “artificial boundaries.”
It informed that the federation will observe 5 days mourning starting December 6 and asked all to refrain from any sort of merry making/festivities during the period. It further urged people to refrain from participating in Hornbill Festival. “This is not in defiance of any forces but merely a symbolic expression of resentment towards the government that has failed to protect its own people,” the NSF said.
The federation asked the people for co-operation from the public as it proposes to call for a 6 hours total shut-down in all Naga inhabited areas from 6:00 AM till 12 Noon of December 6. Only medical and other emergency services, police, weddings with the commuter carrying a copy of the wedding card and other emergency services and students appearing for exams shall be exempted. All Para-Military forces and armed forces are hereby sternly informed not to make any movements during the duration of the bandh, the NSF said.
It meanwhile demanded that the Government of India set up a Court Monitored Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to conduct a fair and impartial probe into the incident. It also directed all federating units and sub-ordinate bodies of the federation to sever ties with any Indian armed forces until befitting punishments are awarded to the culprits.
The NSF demanded revocation of AFSPA from all Naga inhabited areas without further delay. It also urged that a Special Assembly of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly be convened to adopt a resolution for revocation of AFSPA.
Finally, the NSF called for befitting compensation to all the victims.
NMA: The Naga Mothers' Association while strongly condemning the incident, appealed to all the Naga tribes to stand in solidarity with our Konyak Nagas and refrain from celebrations at the Hornbill Festival. “It is taboo in our Naga tradition to be feasting, while we mourn our dead in our homes,” it asserted.
The NMA also demanded that the State Government take cognisance of the repeated violations of human rights under AFSPA and strongly recommend for its repeal.
Besides the SIT, it demanded that a high level inquiry Commission be set up, inclusive of civil society, to investigate and bring the guilty to book, as per the law. “We demand that all Indian Army cantonments be immediately shifted from all civilian areas and habitations,” it added.
It also expressed solidarity and condolences to the parents and families at Oting village and the Konyak people.
