Sub: Memorandum Against the Assassination Bid on the Life of Ms. M. Imtila Jamir, Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Nagaland (Rtd.).
Sir,
We the undersigned, under the aegis of the Ao Senden, the Apex Tribal Body draw your kind attention to the subject cited above and state that we are constrained to submit the under mentioned issues of concern for your immediate action and urgent redressal thereof:
1. That Sir, it is a widely known fact that on 27th May 2011, Ms. M. Imtila Jamir, retired Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Nagaland was shot at and injured in her residence at Lower P. R. Hill, Kohima by heavily armed assailants led by one Mr. Worshim Tangkhul Ss. Pvt, Ngalenshang Chahongnao Corporal, both NSCN (IM) and their accomplices.
2. That this appalling assassination attempt on the life of an innocent and respectable retired lady Officer having an untarnished impeccable reputation of our society by armed miscreants has received widespread public outcry and all Naga frontline Civil Societies have reacted sharply and expressed condemnation of this heinous act in no uncertain terms. Yet, such a blatant deed of unprovoked violence should not be nor allowed to die down with mere condemnations alone. And the collective and unanimous stance of the Nagas on such criminal activities was amply manifested through the solidarity shown by all sections of society during the Protest Rally held at Kohima on 1st June 2011.
3. That, such criminal incidents should continue to happen to law abiding citizens in our land is an issue being deemed as a matter of serious and grave concern. Mention may be made that this instant event cannot be considered as an isolated and a stray case. We have rather exercised restraint in the past so as to avoid any adverse consequences in the interest of all concerned, which should not be construed by any body as a plausible sign of weakness on our part at all. When peaceful, safe and secured atmosphere is not allowed to prevail and law is being repeatedly violated with impunity by such armed, “rogue and wayward” cadres/members under the aegis and perhaps regrettably under the patronage of underground organizations, Civil Societies cannot remain a mute spectator.
4. That, it was not just the assassination attempt on 27th May 2011, but the very next morning the main accused, Worshim Tangkhul again warned the family of Ms. M. Imtila Jamir including her own mother that “Itia to hat te hi marishi, hoilibi pechite to family sob maritebo, aru ama kibi nacharibo”. This was conveyed to one of the boys who is a helper to M. Imtila Jamir. In this connection, it is pertinent to raise the following questions:
i) The Ceasefire Ground Rules at clause (e) states that “The NSCN would not undertake offensive operations like ambush, raid, sniping and attack leading to death/damage or loss of property. The NSCN would also act in a manner as not to cause harassment/damage or loss of property or injury to the civilian population”. Is not this incident therefore a clear violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules? It is not understood as to how cadres could move about freely with arms outside the designated camps. Such violation of the laid down Ground Rules and attempt to murder is an extremely grievous issue.
ii) The Civil Societies have the right to know as to who or which officer has issued the arms (two pistols and one AK-47) to the two cadres to carry out the said assassination attempt.
iii) It is also required to know whether the said operation was carried out in the interest of “National Service”; if yes, the reason for such a drastic measure has to be made known to the general public.
iv) Who are the conspirators and abettors to this crime? Whether the NSCN is officially involved in this case? Whether the Organization encourages such actions to settle personal grievances? If yes, what is the justification for committing such a crime against a defenseless woman who is a respectable leader among the Nagas?
5. It has been made to understand that one of the accused namely, Ngalenshang Chahongnao, Corporal has surrendered before/apprehended by your authorities in Hebron after committing the crime. If that is a fact, the Civil Societies fail to understand as to why such criminals are to be given shelter, as harbouring of criminals within your camp is likely to undermine the credibility of the Organization. Again, the main accused Worshim Tangkhul, who is reportedly still at large, should also be apprehended since the Organization is in the best position to know his whereabouts.
6. It is now the demand of the Ao Senden that the accused Mr. Ngalenshang Chahongnao, Corporal, should be handed over to the police within a period of 6(six) days from the date of receipt of this memorandum. Also, Mr.Worshim Tangkhul Ss. Pvt. should be apprehended immediately and handed over to the police so that the perpetrators of this crime are tried and punished as per the law of the land without further delay. Herein we state our trust that your Organization have the moral strength to abide your obligation to the Agreed Ground Rules for Ceasefire with particular specifics stipulated in clause (j) by facilitating the concern authorities to (quote): “act in an impartial and unbiased manner against any group causing public disturbances or when there is imminent danger to public safety or peace” (unquote).
We, therefore, urge to address the demands made hereinabove on priority basis and to ensure that the Collective Leadership ensures tangible and visible results within the time framed as mentioned above. Failing which, we will be forced to deal with the matter in our own way for which we shall not be held responsible.
Dr. BENJONG AIER,
President, Kohima Aor Telongjem
Smti. TIAMENLA,
President, Watsu Mungdang, Kohima Unit
IMPA LONGKUMER,
Convener, Action Committee
Copy to :
1. The Convener, Steering Committee, NSCN/GPRN
2. The Kilo Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN
3. Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group, Nagaland, Kohima.
4. Convener, Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
5. Director General of Police, Nagaland.
6. Team Leader, Special Investigation Team.
7. President, Ao Senden
Note: The above Memorandum was submitted to the Collective Leadership of the NSCN/GPRN this evening (28.06.2011) at New Delhi by a delegation of the Joint Action Committee of the Ao Senden.
Sir,
We the undersigned, under the aegis of the Ao Senden, the Apex Tribal Body draw your kind attention to the subject cited above and state that we are constrained to submit the under mentioned issues of concern for your immediate action and urgent redressal thereof:
1. That Sir, it is a widely known fact that on 27th May 2011, Ms. M. Imtila Jamir, retired Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Nagaland was shot at and injured in her residence at Lower P. R. Hill, Kohima by heavily armed assailants led by one Mr. Worshim Tangkhul Ss. Pvt, Ngalenshang Chahongnao Corporal, both NSCN (IM) and their accomplices.
2. That this appalling assassination attempt on the life of an innocent and respectable retired lady Officer having an untarnished impeccable reputation of our society by armed miscreants has received widespread public outcry and all Naga frontline Civil Societies have reacted sharply and expressed condemnation of this heinous act in no uncertain terms. Yet, such a blatant deed of unprovoked violence should not be nor allowed to die down with mere condemnations alone. And the collective and unanimous stance of the Nagas on such criminal activities was amply manifested through the solidarity shown by all sections of society during the Protest Rally held at Kohima on 1st June 2011.
3. That, such criminal incidents should continue to happen to law abiding citizens in our land is an issue being deemed as a matter of serious and grave concern. Mention may be made that this instant event cannot be considered as an isolated and a stray case. We have rather exercised restraint in the past so as to avoid any adverse consequences in the interest of all concerned, which should not be construed by any body as a plausible sign of weakness on our part at all. When peaceful, safe and secured atmosphere is not allowed to prevail and law is being repeatedly violated with impunity by such armed, “rogue and wayward” cadres/members under the aegis and perhaps regrettably under the patronage of underground organizations, Civil Societies cannot remain a mute spectator.
4. That, it was not just the assassination attempt on 27th May 2011, but the very next morning the main accused, Worshim Tangkhul again warned the family of Ms. M. Imtila Jamir including her own mother that “Itia to hat te hi marishi, hoilibi pechite to family sob maritebo, aru ama kibi nacharibo”. This was conveyed to one of the boys who is a helper to M. Imtila Jamir. In this connection, it is pertinent to raise the following questions:
i) The Ceasefire Ground Rules at clause (e) states that “The NSCN would not undertake offensive operations like ambush, raid, sniping and attack leading to death/damage or loss of property. The NSCN would also act in a manner as not to cause harassment/damage or loss of property or injury to the civilian population”. Is not this incident therefore a clear violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules? It is not understood as to how cadres could move about freely with arms outside the designated camps. Such violation of the laid down Ground Rules and attempt to murder is an extremely grievous issue.
ii) The Civil Societies have the right to know as to who or which officer has issued the arms (two pistols and one AK-47) to the two cadres to carry out the said assassination attempt.
iii) It is also required to know whether the said operation was carried out in the interest of “National Service”; if yes, the reason for such a drastic measure has to be made known to the general public.
iv) Who are the conspirators and abettors to this crime? Whether the NSCN is officially involved in this case? Whether the Organization encourages such actions to settle personal grievances? If yes, what is the justification for committing such a crime against a defenseless woman who is a respectable leader among the Nagas?
5. It has been made to understand that one of the accused namely, Ngalenshang Chahongnao, Corporal has surrendered before/apprehended by your authorities in Hebron after committing the crime. If that is a fact, the Civil Societies fail to understand as to why such criminals are to be given shelter, as harbouring of criminals within your camp is likely to undermine the credibility of the Organization. Again, the main accused Worshim Tangkhul, who is reportedly still at large, should also be apprehended since the Organization is in the best position to know his whereabouts.
6. It is now the demand of the Ao Senden that the accused Mr. Ngalenshang Chahongnao, Corporal, should be handed over to the police within a period of 6(six) days from the date of receipt of this memorandum. Also, Mr.Worshim Tangkhul Ss. Pvt. should be apprehended immediately and handed over to the police so that the perpetrators of this crime are tried and punished as per the law of the land without further delay. Herein we state our trust that your Organization have the moral strength to abide your obligation to the Agreed Ground Rules for Ceasefire with particular specifics stipulated in clause (j) by facilitating the concern authorities to (quote): “act in an impartial and unbiased manner against any group causing public disturbances or when there is imminent danger to public safety or peace” (unquote).
We, therefore, urge to address the demands made hereinabove on priority basis and to ensure that the Collective Leadership ensures tangible and visible results within the time framed as mentioned above. Failing which, we will be forced to deal with the matter in our own way for which we shall not be held responsible.
Dr. BENJONG AIER,
President, Kohima Aor Telongjem
Smti. TIAMENLA,
President, Watsu Mungdang, Kohima Unit
IMPA LONGKUMER,
Convener, Action Committee
Copy to :
1. The Convener, Steering Committee, NSCN/GPRN
2. The Kilo Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN
3. Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group, Nagaland, Kohima.
4. Convener, Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
5. Director General of Police, Nagaland.
6. Team Leader, Special Investigation Team.
7. President, Ao Senden
Note: The above Memorandum was submitted to the Collective Leadership of the NSCN/GPRN this evening (28.06.2011) at New Delhi by a delegation of the Joint Action Committee of the Ao Senden.
