Dimapur, June 15 (MExN): The Rengma Hoho today said that it is disturbed to note that “the indeginous Rengma living in Rengma Naga Hills (now known as Karbi Anglong) were made to sign forced agreement at gun point by the Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KPLT) on 6th June 2013 at Nakoi Tisso Village, Karbi Anglong.” It has strongly condemned the “despicable and dastardly act” of Karbi militants.
The Rengma Hoho’s President, Sawathang Kez Seb, and General Secretary, John Semy, while calling the current action against the Rengma Nagas a violation of human rights and the Indian constitution, stated “Even in the past the Rengmas were being assaulted and has suffered the ill treatments of Karbi Militants often. But still Rengmas has not returned any retaliation and living peacefully with its Karbi neighbors. However, the recent incident which compels the Rengmas in Karbi Anglong to flee from their native land is very painful to bear.” The Rengma Hoho urged the Karbis to initiate good means which may be acceptable to both the Rengmas and Karbis for better living in co-existence.
The Hoho also appealed the Government of Assam as well as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to ensure safety of the Rengma Nagas living in Assam.
Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho has expressed shock over the “ultimatum”. “Such intimidation to kill all Rengmas in Karbi Anglong is a threat to all Naga people as a whole and therefore we cannot leave the Rengmas to face the challenges alone at this moment of trial and turbulence,” stated a press note issued by the Publicity Wing of the Naga Hoho.
The organization also stated, “The history is very clear and we are fully convinced that the Rengmas were the first settler in the hills long before the arrival of Karbis, and the Karbis trying to chase out the son of the soil is akin to the story of Arab and the camel. In fact, the Karbis must inculcate a sense of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence without forgetting the unassailable rights of the Rengma Nagas since time immemorial”.
It also fervently urged upon the Assam state Government in general and the KAAC and KLPT in particular to bring out a mechanism immediately to safeguard the people from impending bloodshed and to put off such ethnic war in the region. “At the same time, we appeal to the Rengma Nagas to remain steadfast and united towards protecting the inalienable rights of the Nagas that has been passed on from generation to generation,” Naga Hoho stated in the note.
