Kohima, October 30 (MExN): The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO), Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO), Zhadima Village Council and Sky Kohima Nagaland (SKN) on Saturday voiced strong displeasure at the ‘raid’ which was reportedly conducted by the 1st Assam Rifles in the residence of Roko Angami in the wee hours of October 30.
AYO:Terming the AR’s action ‘irresponsible’, the AYO attested that Roko Angami of Zhadima village is a “much respected, honest and law-abiding member of the Angami community.”
The Organisation mentioned throughout his youth, Roko has represented the community and the Nagas as a professional footballer who even played at the international level. He had also served as the Auditor General of the AYO for the tenure 2016-2019, and is also the incumbent president of the Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO). “His credentials are proof of his exceptional citizenry,” the AYO stated.
Taking strong exception to the fact that the 'raid' of the 1st Assam Rifles was conducted when Roko Angami was not present at his residence in Zhadima, the AYO questioned the intentions of the AR.
“This appalling act upon a leader of the community has no place in the present day and even controvert the much acclaimed slogan of the Assam Rifles – ‘Friends of the hill people’,” the AYO stated.
At a time when the protracted Naga political issue is progressing, this particular incident has only deepened the chasm of mistrust and animosity between the Naga people and the Indian armed forces, it added.
AYO cautioned that it would not remain a mute spectator to such behavior of the paramilitary forces and demanded strict action to be taken upon the erring personnel who were involved in the incident, and for justice be delivered at the earliest. “In failing to do so, the AYO will be compelled to take up the matter as is deemed fit, and the 1st Assam Rifles shall be held entirely responsible for any consequences,” AYO stated in a statement issued by its President Kekhrie Pfukha and General Secretary Petevituo Nakhro.
NAYO: Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO) vehemently condemned the incident and stated that the “abusive and military Junta style” actions of the 1st Assam Rifles have deeply traumatized the victims.
The NAYO stated that it is deeply shocked and threatened by the action of the Assam Riffles which it said, has damaged the image and reputation of its President, and added that the incident is “a direct insult to NAYO and the Village Units under it.”
Claiming that, “We are peaceful and law abiding Indian citizens,” the NAYO said that the action of the Assam Rifles clearly violates the Rights, Life and Liberty of the citizens enshrined in the Indian constitution.
NAYO appealed its village units, human rights activists, NGOs and all peace loving citizens to condemn the action of the Assam Rifles.
SKN: The Sky Kohima Nagaland (SKN) also condemned the act based on “wrong information obtained from their intelligence” and said that it cannot tolerate harassment of ‘innocent peace loving citizens’ time and again.
SKN also condemned the Officer-In-charge who led the troops and committed the act in particular and appealed the Assam Rifles to verify the information/reports thoroughly before taking any action so that in future the innocent peace loving citizens would not be the victims of the “so called Friends of the Hill People.”
ZVC: Voicing similar opinion, the Zhadima Village Council condemned the ‘callous attitude and despicable action’ of the Assam Rifles who raided Roko Angami’s house “without any rhyme or reason.”
Roko Angami is a respectable leader who is currently serving as the Village Development Board (VDB) Secretary of Zhadima Village, President of Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO) and President of Nagaland Football Coaches’ Association (NFCA). He has devoted all his service for the community and has served the Indian Nation by representing the country in football and is still continuing to serve the community and sporting fraternity at large, the ZVC stated.
“The unjust and mere suspicion of the security force without ascertaining and possessing any concrete evidence for such raids has tarnished the good image of Roko Angami,” it said and added that “such despicable actions of the security forces is condemnable and should be condemned by all.”
“This raid has not only created animosity between the Assam rifles and the Village Community but has set a bad precedence and a suspicious trend among the peace loving community. We censure such act of outrage by the security forces and strongly condemn such despicable action which creates bitter relationship between the community and the security forces,” ZVC Chairperson Neilalhoulie and General Secretary Seyiekhrielhou Kuotsu stated in a condemnation note on Saturday.
