NSF flays AR, military actions
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 11 2015 :
Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has strongly condemned the "atrocities and high-handedness committed by the security forces" in the Naga Areas in recent times.
A press release issued by NSF Tribunal General Kelhouneizo Yhome said that the condemnation of the acts by security forces followed an extra ordinary federal assembly of NSF convened by him on June 10 at the NSF conference hall, Kohima.
Besides deliberation on various prevailing issues, the NSF discussed and vehemently condemned the "atrocities and high-handedness committed" by the security forces in the Naga Areas.
NSF said that it is "totally despicable and intolerable" when the armed forces go on a "rampage and deploy diabolical methods of detaining innocent Naga and inflicting first degree torture in the name of counter insurgency" .
NSF recalled that on June 7, NSF said two student leaders who had come to Kohima from Phek District to organize a students' felicitation programme and three innocent civilians from Mokokchung District were "brutally tortured" without any reason by the Assam Rifles (AR) under the banner of "Friends of the Hill people" .
Terming the incidents as "deplorable," NSF also said the federation seriously noted the restrictions imposed on innocent public of Chandel District following the "unfortunate ambush by underground groups" on the security forces.
"Cutting off of communication facilities, closing down of schools, restriction of free movement and denial of basic human requirements" are glaring violation of human rights, said the federation.
It has been learnt that movement of Government authority, district administration and the media have been "totally curbed" by the armed forces.
"Such excesses made us to relive the deep trauma inflicted on the Nagas in the past by the Indian armed forces when innocent Nagas were brutally tortured and murdered, women raped, villages razed to ground, people made to die out of starvation, stated the NSF.
The NSF meeting also resolved to remain firm and committed and not to be cowed down by any element or force in the struggle to achieve just peace and recognition as a people.
The federation has strongly urged the Government of India and the policy makers to relook into their policy towards Naga political issue from wider and more humane approach rather than confrontational attitude.
"The violent and suppressive policies have caused more casualties both for Indians and Nagas rather than restoring peace", said NSF while reminding that these policies of disregarding human values contravene the basic principles of democracy and India as the largest democracy ought to be more humane in its approach towards resolving conflicts.