Tangkhul bodies ask GoI for Anthony's release
12-hour bandh in Ukhrul imposed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Ukhrul, February 10, 2012:
Upping its pressure on the Government of India for unconditional release of NSCN (IM)'s head of foreign affairs Ningkhan Shimray, the Tangkhul civil societies have resolved to called 12-hour bandh in Ukhrul district on February 11.The development has come about after Naga civil societies led by Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) imposed a two-hour public curfew from 11am to 1pm and staged a dharna in Ukhrul town demanding unconditional release of Ningkhan Shimray presently detained in Tihar jail on Thursday.
The decision to impose 12-hour bandh was taken after the Tangkhul civil societies comprising Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Wungnao Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong and Tangkhul Youth Council held a lengthy deliberation on the issue.
"The joint decision was taken after the Tangkhul civil societies deliberated on the on the issue of NSCN leader Anthony Shimray.
It is our initial steps of our campaign to fight for his justice," TKS president Yangmi Khapai said, while talking to this correspondent.
He argued that "the detention of NCSN leader at a time when peace talk is going on at the highest level is unjustified." NSCN (IM) foreign affairs secretary NingkhanShimray, alias Anthony, was arrested from Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport by Indian government on September 27, 2010.Since then he has been imprisoned in Tihar jail on charges of arm trafficking and waging war against the Indian state.
NWUM has challenged Anthony's detention as "unlawful" and demanded for immediate and unconditional release.