ANSAM salutes Naga 'martyrs'
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Senapati, May 05 2020:
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said on Tuesday that it "joins the Naga people in honouring Late Mr Neli Chakho and Late Mr Dikho Loshou who were shot dead at Mao Gate on May 6, 2010" .
The Naga people under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) have been observing Martyrs' Day on May 6 every year since 2010 at Martyrs' Park, Mao-Gate, Senapati district.
According to the ANSAM, both of them "gave their all to defend our land, history and identity" .
It added, "We are all born to die, but two young souls Loshou and Chakho boldly chose to die as martyrs on May 6, 2010" .
In a statement, ANSAM recalled that, on May 2, 2010 a curfew was imposed at Mao Gate following a Cabinet decision, banning the travel of Th Muivah, the 'Ato Kilonser' (Prime Minister) of GPRN, to his native village, Somdal in Ukhrul district.
According to the ANSAM, on May 4 and May 5, 2010, the Mao Women Welfare Association under the aegis of Naga Womens' Union (NWU) organised a "peaceful" sit-in protest at Mao Gate against the Cabinet decision.
"Thereafter on May 6, 2010, the people took out a peaceful procession along the erstwhile National Highway 39 and now NH-2, to protest against the savage acts of the IRB and police commandos," added ANSAM.
"During the procession the Manipur State forces started firing tear gas shells and hurled stick bombs on the unarmed civilians," mentioned the Naga student body, adding, "When the women were brutalised, Dikho Loshuo, Neli Chakho and other youth confronted the State forces" .
It further added, "In the process, the two youths were shot dead by IRBs and commandos and more than hundred women injured".
The "horror" of May 6, 2010 at Mao Gate epitomized the "martyrdom" of Loshou and Chakho, said ANSAM, adding, "We pay our homage to them and salute their acts of valour.
Their stories will live on in the hearts and minds of the Naga people" .
In memory of "Naga martyrs", ANSAM has marked June 19, as 'ANSAM Remembrance Day' and in their honour "we dedicate 'ANSAM Memorial Park' at Kapaam village, (Komlathabi), Chandel district," it added.