ENPO, NSF, NGBF condemn PANGSHA incident
Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has termed it as “unfortunate” the August 28,2015 incident at Pangsha ITC junction under Noklak subdivision, Tuensang district where innocent civilians became victims of security forces.
ENPO president Khoiwang Konyak and general secretary Manlang Phom said they were constrained to make a statement in public interest, particularly of eastern Nagas.
The signatories maintained, it was the duty and function of security forces to ensure safety and security of both people and territory and so drew public focus on the incident, to ascertain factual accounts for the benefit of all quarters.
Accusing the security forces of “random outburst and assault by the security forces” where innocent civilians became the unfortunate victims, ENPO also condemned the incident as unwarranted.
ENPO said the incident smacked of “intentional prejudices and insensitivity” that seemed to be harboured within the mindset of security forces and indwelt in “blanket attitude of suspiciousness and discrimination”.
ENPO reminded that public were aware over the past few weeks, that the state government had made an earnest request to the ENPO and Naga Hoho to hold a mutual and formal meeting the the representatives of NSCN(K) and if possible with NSCN(K) chairman S.S.Khaplang.
It said logistics for movement of both ENPO and Naga Hoho was pursued after which security clearance was given by the MHA government of India through the state government.
However, ENPO said the entry point into Myanmar was resolved tentatively for Pangsha ITC. However, it said the specific date, meeting, venue and entry point was yet to be finalised due to cross border security problems from the Myanmar government in order to obtain clearance for the designate route and valid travel documents.
Against the backdrop of the plans, the signatories expressed dismay and disheartenment over the entire incident/episode (August 28,2015) which had thrown a spanner in the proposed programme. ENPO therefore, said this required clarification and explanation from the state machinery, district administration and security apparatus of the incidental jurisdiction, with regard to the movement of NMA, in particular. ENPO said the incident had in a way “unfortunately preceded the proposed programme of the two apex bodies(ENPO and Naga Hoho).
They also said both ENPO and Khiamniungan Tribal Council(KTC) had no knowledge about the movement of NMA and regretted that at least ENPO and KTC should have been taken into confidence.
ENPO also conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace and rest to the departed.
NSF: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has vehemently condemned the killings at Pangsho, Tuensang district.
In a press release, NSF general secretary Boveio Poukai Duo stated that the display of military might by the ‘Friends of the Hill People’ and random killing in the process of exterminating any Naga Political Group would append anger rather than impart fear and more chaos to the already complicated state of affairs.
In this regard, NSF has asked all armed groups– Nagas and Indian “to respect human lives and put an end to all form of violence for once and for all.” Asserting that the ongoing political conflict could not be solved through military might but through dialogue, NSF at the same time reminded that Nagas had seen enough violence and bloodshed.
With a ray of hope for lasting peace that was visible, NSF earnestly appealed NSCN (K) to resume the cease-fire with the Government of India (GoI) in the larger interest of the Nagas in order to solve the Naga political issue in an amicable and peaceful manner.
NSF further lamented saying, when the world community has acknowledged GoI for displaying its sincerity to solve the longest political conflict in the Southeast Asia, on the other hand the same government was mercilessly and heedlessly taking lives under the aegis of ‘Friends of the Hill People’. While also reminding GoI to note that regardless of the factions, all Nagas were fighting for one common goal, NSF said it expected GoI to respect the aspirations of the Nagas.
NGBF: Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) has also condemned the atrocities carried out by 23 AR on “unarmed NSCN (K) and innocent civilians” at Pangsha.
NGBF fervently appealed to the GoI and NSCN (K) to maintain cease-fire and resume talks.It also urged upon NSCN (K) “to return to the mainstream and be part with people’s inspiration by joining a Peace process”.
Pangsha area tense
With the situation still tense at Pangsha area, Army and Assam Rifles have stepped up their operations along the porous India-Myanmar border.
Security sources said that since trans-border movement of the NSCN cadres had been going on under the garb of Free Movement Regime existing between India and Myanmar, security forces have been kept on high alert.
Sources further said they have received inputs that some cadres of the NSCN (K) have already entered the neighbouring village in Nagaland side.