Six hour shutdown held across Naga areas

Morung Express News 
Kohima/Dimapur | December 6 

The six hour total shutdown called by the Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) was took effect in all Naga inhabited areas from 6:00 am to 12 noon on December 6. The bandh was called to protest the killing of 14 civilians by security forces in Oting, Mon. 

While no violence was reported during the bandh, confrontations between those overseeing the bandh and security forces were reported from Meluri, Dimapur and Kohima. 

The Pochury Students’ Union (PSU), in a press release informed that while observing the bandh, “military personnel of 38 Assam Rifles led by its Major tried to provoke the situation and threatened the volunteers to the extent of snatching away the mobile phone of a volunteer at Meluri Town.” The PSU termed this action “unacceptable and uncalled for.” 

The PSU declared “non-cooperation to the security forces with immediate effect until justice is delivered for both the indiscriminate firing incidents.” The union further directed all its federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to “shun and desist in participating in any kind of events organized by the security forces.”

In Dimapur, a convoy of paramilitary vehicles from Rangapahar was stopped by protestors and made to turn back. Another confrontation was also reported from Kohima between security personnel and those overseeing and imposing the bandh. The total shut-down in Dimapur was manned by units of the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU). The units were divided across six strategic locations in Dimapur — DC Court, Clock Tower, Dhobinala, Burma camp, Hotel Senti and Nagarjan Traffic Point. 

In Mokokchung, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) organized a silent procession and submitted a memorandum to the governor of Nagaland through the Mokokchung DC on December 6. Representatives from Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Mokokchung, Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union Mokokchung and Tenyimia Students’ Union Mokokchung also participated in the procession that started at Imkongmeren Sports Complex and culminated at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Mokokchung. 

 “The sole purpose of this bandh is to display our grief, our anger and our sentiments,” NSF President, Kegwayhun Tep said during a press conference in Kohima. The NSF thanked the Naga people, particularly the federating units and subordinate bodies of the NSF for their efforts.

‘Cancel Hornbill Fest’
The NSF meanwhile appealed to the State Government to feel the pulse of the people by cancelling the remaining days of the Hornbill festival. “However, if the State Government remains adamant, the federation appeals to the public to let better sense prevail and abstain from attending the same,” the NSF President urged. He asked all tribal parent bodies to abstain its members from participating in the festival.
 
Only ex-gratia not enough 
Tep further said the government must know that the Naga people cannot be bought with money. Justice has to be done at all cost, he stated and called for repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the “Naga homeland.” Tep said that “to truly prove that to the people they represent that they are serious with their words,” a special NLA session must be called to recommend the repeal of AFSPA to the Centre. 

Demands court monitored committee
While appreciating the State Government for constituting an SIT, the NSF, however, expressed apprehension as to whether the probe can bring the desired justice. The federation appealed to the government to set up a court monitored committee headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court Judge in order to ensure a fair and impartial probe.

Other civil societies and tribal bodies also imposed bandh in the respective areas with Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries enforcing total bandh in Dimapur for 12 hours and Lotha Hoho imposing band in Wokha district. In Zunheboto town, Sümi Hoho imposed complete shutter down from 6:00 am to 12 noon.