Naga Hoho (NH) and Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) have vehemently condemned the killing and injuring of innocent civilians including women at Pangsha on August 28 by security forces.
In a press release, NH general secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu said despite repeated appeal to the security forces (SF) to exercise utmost restraint while carrying out operations, it has once again fallen on deaf ears.
NH said what was more intriguing and hilarious was that the Assam Rifles after killing and injuring innocent citizens at Pangsha, continued to have the audacity to claim that they “displayed a very high order of restraint and fire discipline to ensure that the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) did not suffer fatal injuries during the fire fight”.
The statement voluminously speaks of their absence of humanity and compassion from the Assam Rifles, NH stated.
NH while condemning the barbaric act of killing and injuring civilians, urged upon the authorities to ascertain the facts and circumstances and to punish the guilty at the earliest. Further, NH reiterated its earlier appeal to the Assam Rifles to exercise utmost restraint and not to vitiate the atmosphere any more.
NMA: Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) in a press note also condemned the killing of the NSCN (K) civilians and women at Pangsha by armed forces, while the NMA peace team was on its way for a peace dialogue with the group.
As mothers, NMA said they were shocked and grief stricken at the tragic loss of lives. NMA conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Meanwhile, NMA stated that its members called on top officials of the Assam Rifles at Tuensang to register their strong protest against the killings and also to appeal SF to exercise utmost restraint.
NMA also earnestly appealed to the NSCN (K) to abstain from any retaliation and to give a chance for peaceful dialogue for the sake of peace and tranquility.
Later, the NMA team paid its last respects to the departed and laid floral wreaths and shawls at the simple ceremony held at Tuensang Police Station, Saturday evening.
KSU, ERKSU: Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU) and Eastern Range Khiamniungan Student’s Union (ERKSU) in a joint statement issued by its presidents– S. Chonta (KSU) and L. Pattun (EKRSU) have strongly condemned the firing between 23 AR and NSCN (K) at Pangsha Trade Centre Dan on August 28.
KSU & ERKSU lamented that the incident has caused mental disturbance to the students’ community and denizens of the area.
The unions further asked whether the Trade Centre was meant for trading between two countries or a battlefield. They said no group should create commotion or fear psychosis but rather maintain peace and tranquility in the area since ITC DAN was one of the International Centre and the gateway between India and Burma.
While cautioning that they would not tolerate such incidents in the future, the unions at the same time said “no one should pollute the Khiamniungan land by bloodshed either within or beyond the border.”
Meanwhile, KSU & EKRSU expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace and to those injured for speedy recovery.