The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) have condemned the brutal and unprovoked assault on Sangtikiu and Ati of the GPRN/NSCN (Kitovi), both from the Yimkhiung community, at Pungro town on August 8 allegedly by the town commander of GPRN/NSCN (I-M) alongside his accomplices.
Claiming that the victims endured a savage beating with rifle butts and cane sticks, all while being held at gunpoint, ENPO president A Chingmak Chang and ENSF president Chingmak Chang in a joint statement asserted that such violence was a gross violation of human rights and hence intolerable.
They stressed that any disagreement or issues, irrespective of their nature, should be addressed or settled through dialogue and peaceful means rather than resorting to physical assault.
They said the manner in which this incident transpired reflected a total disregard of the principles of peace, justice and respect for human dignity and value, underscoring a growing trend of aggressive and unjustified actions that threatened the peace and stability of the communities.
Further, the duo stated that it had come to their notice that Jangkhen associated with the GPRN/NSCN (I-M) was involved in intimidating student leaders, individuals, and business establishments. They pointed out that such acts of intimidation not only created social disorder but also undermined the efforts toward establishing and maintaining peace and unity in the region.
According to them, the violent incident and the recent threats by Jangkhen were in clear violation of the ENPO resolution of December 18, 2007, which explicitly denounced bloodshed, threats, intimidation, and violence within the ENPO jurisdiction.
Stating that the resolution reflected the yearning for collective commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful and non-violent means, upholding the principles of justice and mutual respect, and fostering a harmonious and cohesive community, they opined that the actions of the perpetrators and those involved in intimidating others were in direct contradiction to these values.
“They not only undermine the principles outlined in the ENPO resolution but also perpetuate a cycle of violence that erodes trust and stability within our communities. It is imperative that such actions be unequivocally condemned and those responsible be held accountable for their conduct,” the statement emphasised.
In light of these developments, both the ENPO and ENSF leaders called for immediate action to address and rectify what went wrong. They urged the authorities concerned to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.
Further, they called for an end to threats and intimidation perpetrated by Jangkhen and his associates, adding that it was indispensible that measures be taken to prevent further acts of violence and to restore a sense of security and respect within the communities.