Zeliangrong Baudi to PM : Free Anthony
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 20 2012:
The Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur today has urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for the unconditional and immediate release of Anthony Ningkham Shimray, head of foreign affairs of NSCN-IM.
Shimray has been languishing in Tihar jail since 2010 .
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, the Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur said the Zeliangrong public and civil societies extend their solidarity and support to the demand of the Naga civil societies for "immediate release" of Anthony Ningkham Shimray.
It said the Government of India has already recognized the uniqueness of the history of Naga and its state of affairs, and that despite more than 70 rounds of peace-talks between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, the Government still lacks the "political will" to settle the decades-old Naga issue.
It is not the first time that Naga leaders have been jailed on one pretext or the other and added that major Shoiba of the outfit is now also in Sajiwa jail in Imphal, the Baudi asserted.
It added, "We urge the Government of India to show its sincerity at such a crucial moment as the Nagas do not want to derail the ongoing peace process, and we, therefore, demand immediate release of Anthony at the earliest possible in order to create a conducive atmosphere for bringing an acceptable solution to both the sides in the near future" .
Anthony was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Kathmandu International Airport on September 27, 2010 while flying in from Bangkok.
He was to take another flight to Delhi to participate the September 29-sheduled Indo-Naga peacetalks there.
Shimray had participated in more than seven rounds of peace-talks held between the Government of India and NSCN-IM.