25th Commemoration of 'Onae Reh Dah (Operation Blue Bird)

Organizing Committee *

Surviving victims of Operation Blue Bird waiting for justice on July 09 2012 :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

The 9th July had become the unforgettable day for the Naga people and all those who endured the untold miseries and sufferings during the 'Operation Blue Bird' launched on 11th July 1987 and the like incidents elsewhere. The 9th July had became an extraordinary day not only for the people of Oinam Hill(Onaeme) but for the Naga community and other struggling people as well.

This remarkable day brought to memories the extraordinary sufferings, pains, agonies and torments the poor villagers endured, the supreme sacrifice made by those who were killed in the incidents, the women who were raped and molested, the hardships and pain endured by student leaders, politicians and many others. The story of Oinam nightmare could not be ended just in few words and pages. It was one of the biggest operations carried out by the Indian Security Forces since 1950s in Naga areas.

Later on it became a unique struggle in Naga history. Naga People Movement for Human Rights in their report based on 2nd and 3rd reports of The Co-ordinating Committee on Oinam Issue (COCOI) termed "Operation Bluebird" as the biggest operation in recent times. "But this time there was difference. The villagers did not remain silent. They have dared to speak out, and with the help of NPMHR they took the armed forces to court." The report also says, "It is a unique struggle in the annals of Naga History."

It cuts across the boundaries when it comes to torture of human beings and human rights violations. The 73-page Amnesty International report and the allegations of extra-judicial executions carried out during Operation Bluebird have become major points of reference in the Human Rights Committee, United Nations. However, the legal justice was never delivered to the innocent villagers, as the final judgment was never written after final hearing was done at Guwahati High Court.

On that fateful day of 9th July 1987 suspected NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) raided Assam Rifles outpost at Oinam Hill Village at around 12.30 p.m. and left with a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Nine soldiers were killed in the attack and three were seriously injured. It is reported that the underground carried away 18 LMG, 128 SLR, 4 two inches Mortar, 20 Carbine Sten, 400 Grenades, 1,28,000 rounds of ammunition and two wireless sets.

'Operation Blue Bird', the code name used for counter-insurgency operation was launched on 11th July 1987 under the command of General PL Kukrety, General Officer in Command (GOC), of M Sector and supervised by Brigadier B.N.Singh, Manipur Sector to recover the seized arms and ammunition taken away by Naga underground group.

The NPMHR in their petition filed in October 1987 to the Guahati High Court, alleged that the security forces committed the following cognizable offences: murder, manslaughter, infliction of grievous injuries, rape and sexual harassment; arson, looting and theft; desecration of Church; wanton destruction of public and private properties; including school buildings; illegal evictions; illegal raids, seizures; illegal detentions and arrests and forced labour.

Around thirty villages were affected, 125 residents houses are alleged burnt, 112 like houses were dismantled, 6 schools and 10 churches were dismantled, properties worth of Rs.50,75,000/- were looted from seven villages and villagers belonging to five villages were forced to work, 27 persons are alleged to have been killed in the encounter on different dates in Senapati District of Manipur, 3 women were alleged raped and five women were alleged sexually molested and 300 persons are alleged tortured by Assam Rifles as enumerated by the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights.

Since 1988, the people of Oinam Hill (Onaeme) observe 9th July as a 'Day of Prayer' abstaining from work and gradually adopted the name 'Onae Reh Dah-(The Great Battle of Oinam)".

Having that painful past, the Onaeme and other victims of Operation Blue Bird are sustained by grace and saved by divine mercy that they refuse to die and continue to march ahead with hope and dignity. Along with the struggling people, Onaeme envisions to a future that is hopeful and bright enduring and overcoming the atrocious past.

Walking a long road of 25 years in despair and hope, the undying human spirit through conscious journey in upholding and restoring human dignity through self assertion and healing, the Onaeme is commemorating the 25th Anniversary, "Onae Reh Dah'- (Great Battle of Oinam) - 'Operation Blue Bird' with a theme, "Towards Glorious Future".

The sheer courage and determination of those who died, the enduring spirit of those who were tortured, raped, mocked and humiliated continues to 'inspire' the generations and to all people who read their stories. The supreme sacrifice made by those who laid down their lives to save the people and defend the land unmistakably laid a foundation for a future that is hopeful and glorious.

In this 25th Onae Reh Dah- Operation Blue Bird organizing by Oinam Hill Village, Keviletou Keiwhuo, President Naga Hoho is gracing the occasion as Chief Guest and Nandita Haksar prominent Human Rights Lawyer and writer will preside over along with host of prominent Naga leaders. The leaders, victims from neighboring villages affected by Operation Blued Bird are also joining to commemorate to recollect the collective memories of pain and suffering. To mark the occasion, martyr's pillar will be erected in memory of those killed in the incident, laying wreaths paying tributes to the martyrs, solidarity messages from various organizations etc.

In similar vein, Onaeme Delhi is also commemorating 25th Year of Operation Bluebird where prominent educationist Prof. Kamal A Mitra Chenoy, School for International Studies, JNU and a renown advocate Timikha Koza, President, High Court Bar Association, Nagaland will be delivering lectures to mark the occasion while Peoples Union for Democratic Rights and NPMHR will share solidarity message.

Oinam Hill/Onaeme village is a medium size Poumai Naga Village situated at some 40 kms away from Senapati District Headquarter and 20 kms away from NH-39/2 at Maram Town point and roughly 80 Kms from Kohima, Nagaland falling under Purul Sub-Division in the present Manipur State.

Issued by:
Organizing Committee and Souvenir Editorial Team
The 25th Anniversary Onae Reh Dah
(Operation Blue Bird)
Oinam Hill Village, Senapati, Manipur.