Overcoming all those this-and-that from all directions, thousands of Naga students from Manipur, led by the NSF (Nagas Students’ Federation) and ANSAM (All Nagas Students’ Association Manipur), had appeared their Matric Exam under NBSE at Kohima and Dimapur on the last 7th of Feb. to 19th of Feb. 2007. It has been well and good now though nobody could still say how long it can go on in the years to come. However we all appreciate those organizations and leaders who tirelessly have volunteered to make it a big success. On all these process, I have a little story where I can’t simply keep it away from the people around.
It was on the 3rd day of Feb. 2007, that 49 members, including school Principal and teachers along with the students, who were coming from Tamei Sub-Division to appear Matric Exam under NBSE, were waylaid by the 7 members said to be NSCN (K) and pushed the bus they were travelling in below the gorge of about 6-7 yards from the road. Fortunately all the commuters were asked to vacate the vehicle and it was the empty bus with a few belongings that fell far below the field.
On the morning of the same day the Hon’ble MP, Outer Manipur, Shri. Mani Charenamei and I were heading to visit his aged father towards the same road (TD Road) where the incident occurred. But before we directly proceeded on our way we stopped at Senapati Hd. Qtr just to feel the feelings of the people towards the up coming 9th legislative assembly election which is scheduled to be held on the 7th Feb 2007.
As we sat down with some of the elders, we learnt that the Marams were having a large community base meeting on whether they should go with the UNC policy or not. Accordingly, in a short time the Hon’ble MP was invited to the meeting at Taphou Community Hall. The Hon’ble MP, in his speech, clearly sketched out the reasons why UNC had come out with such a policy in this Assembly Election. He boldly spoke to the crowd from one point to another based on the Naga issue. The whole crowd maintained pin drop silence during the effective speech of the MP. I could see the faces of the people changing by listening to the speech. Before we attended the meeting we were already informed about the ill fated incident of the Tamei Students.
As soon as he concluded his speech we at once hired 3 Nos of Mobil Tata Sumo with the help of the town chairman and sped off towards the TD Road to pick up the students. The incident took place 15 kms away from Kangpokpi.
After 2 hours of driving we landed at a newly settled village where the school Principal and some of the students, with the village elders, came out to meet us. Shri. Francis Nachokpa, the honourable ex-Power Minister, who looked very serious at that moment, was also there with his many men who is said to have campaigned the nearby Kuki villages for the 9th assembly election as a candidate. However, I was surprised to learn that he simply went away without a word to anyone regarding the incident whereas it took place just at his face. As we were told that most of the students were at the AR post which is five Kms away from there we at once reached the place within 30 minutes driving.
It was already 5:10 pm now and the place was very cold. Chill wind was blowing from all directions. The larger number of the students were young girls and all of them were there at the AR Check Post as if they were being rejected by the world. They looked fearful and in panic, and I could see them longing for the comfort of their beloved patents at home. At that moment they had no one to rely on except those AR Jawans. They even refused to go for the Exam. The scene was really a heart touching one and with all our effort we pursuaded them and took them to Senapati Hd. Qtr. and it was already 8 pm when we reached there.
The PSO of the Hon’ble MP generously volunteered to provide his residence for the students to halt for the night. The whole scene was really an emotional one and a hard job. It was never expected that the Hon’ble MP would undertake all those physical engulfment activity in such way. Apart from all these he himself provided the entire expenses of the episode and even the travelling charges upto Dimapur, The unlucky bus, carrying the students, fell about 10 yards down the road; few of the belongings were picked up torn and broken. In this way the students appeared their Exam and have come back home.
By writing this I don’t mean to assert anyone’s interest but simply narrating the fact of that unfortunate evening of our beloved young Tamei students which I happened to witness with my own eyes.
Somimayar Awungshi
Ex-Vice President
Tangkhul Naga Long, Ukhrul
