‘Every time it is the public that suffers’
Dimapur, January 23 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) is “at its lowest ebb of sorrow” at the growing factionalism and the violence between the Naga groups saying that whatever the cause or contention may be, it is only the public which suffers. The NSF has asked all the groups to cease all violence and for once heed to the objection of the suffering public who the groups claim to represent. A public uprising can only begin owing to the people stating to lose their patience at having to bear the burden of fear and violence in their lives, the NSF reminded.
A sad NSF issued a statement today lamenting the factional violence which the federation said has become a regular phenomenon just to “command control over territories and camps.” The NSF stated that “Festive mood of the Naga people were destroyed just before Christmas when the GPRN/NSCN and NSCN (K) started exchanging gun fire over the establishment of Ceasefire sub office of the NSCN (K) at Naharbari area in Dimapur.” It added “Since then the two groups have been getting into frequent fights leading to few deaths from ,both sides. Death from any side is a great loss to the Naga people as a whole since all are brothers to each other.”
The NSF said “The factional fights at Suruhuto, Athibung, Zunheboto and Kohima have put the public to live under constant fear as they believe that the fight might turn magnanimous. The latest incident in Forest Colony Kohima wherein one college student was injured along with his father is a stark example of the public becoming victims of factional fights. Every time, public become the sufferers in the midst of factional rivalries.”
The NSF reminded the groups strongly that day by day, the violence is growing and the public are starting to lose their patience even as the violence and fear psychosis are slowly bearing consequences. “… They could become innocent victims. If the same situation continues, public upheaval against the factions seems very imminent. Once such an upheaval begins, it cannot be left half way but the public would like a logical end to such uprising. And NSF believes that every organisation is capable of comprehending such an atmosphere.”
“Every time, public become the sufferers in the midst of factional rivalries,” the NSF reminded and condemned the violence in the strongest terms.
The NSF appeals to all the warring groups to halt violence and find amicable ways to resolve any differences.
“We appeal the groups to listen to what the Naga people have to tell them. If the Naga groups are working for the people, then they need to look into the welfare and wishes of the people,” the NSF said in its statement. “The mass wants an immediate stop to all fratricidal killings.”
The NSF makes a fervent appeal to all the Naga groups to immediately stop all forms of violence and “understand each other for the love of the Naga people whom they affirm to represent their aspirations” as a free people.
The NSF also criticized the “terms and conditions” laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India recently on the NSCN (IM) leaders’ visit to Zunheboto. “The NSF which stoutly stands to protect the rights and interest of every Nagas irrespective of political groups, or organisations has been greatly disappointed at this step of the GoI,” the NSF stated.
The federation referred to year 2010 when the Indian government refused NSCN (IM) leader Th. Muvah to visit his birthplace, Somdal in Manipur state.
“These are blatant violations of basic rights of the people and violation of the cease-fire ground rules especially when GoI has agreed that the Indo-Naga talks should be held at Prime Minister’s level and in third countries and outside the Indian Constitution,” the organization said and questioned the sincerity of the Indian government.
The organization also criticized the continuous enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 saying the black law has never been welcomed by the Naga people as ‘it had defiled their homeland.’
“The Act has proved to be one of the most inhumane law ever legislated depicting India’s democratic endurance deficiency and trivial to her claim of being one of the largest democratic country in the world. The imposition of this Act contravenes the admittance made by the government of India recognizing “the uniqueness of Naga history and her situation….”
