Naga Hoho (NH), Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) while appreciating Government of India (GoI) for releasing Anthony Shimray on bail, reiterated its appeal to release all other Naga political prisoners irrespective of groups/factions without delay.
In joint statement, presidents of NH, P. Chuba Ozukum; Abeiu Meru (NMA) and Subenthung Kithan (NSF) said that the Naga mass based organizations have been appealing to GoI time and again to release all Naga political prisoners ever since the signing of cease fire agreement with different Naga political groups.
However, they expressed dismay that many Naga national workers, booked under the guise of various draconian laws, were yet to obtain justice even during the cease fire period. They said that the release of Anthony Shimray by GoI, who is part of the peace negotiating, was a sign of demonstration of the sincerity and seriousness of the peace process.
Shimray, was granted bail on August 2 by a special court in New Delhi in a case under the anti-terror act, after NIA said his bail was “important in the interest of peace negotiations between NSCN (IM) and the Government of India”.