Kamjong public hold peaceful rally, demand transfer of two AR officers for arresting NSCN-IM cadres
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, February 28 2019: The people of Kamjong town today held a peaceful rally in protest against the 31AR's 'high handedness' and demanded immediate transfer of two Assam Rifles officers from Kamjong district.

The rally was an immediate fallout of the arrest of three NSCN-IM cadres by the 31 AR on February 20 from Kamjong town area, although they were released on the same day.

The rally started from Kamjong Public ground and proceeded towards the 31 AR Battalion headquarter.

The rally demanded immediate transfer of Col Ajay Kumar Commandant 31 AR and befitting action against Dy Commddt II Singh, FIU 10 sector IGAR South for 'creating unnecessary panicky situation to the civilians' .

The protesters held placards that read " Honour Ceasefire ground rules, stop creating fear psychosis to the innocent public, Initiate disciplinary action against errant personnel of 31 AR, AR respect the history & identity of Nagas, No outsiders rule Nagas since time immemorial" etc.

They accused the 31 AR of "sabotaging" the hard earned Indo-Naga peace dialogue and the signed Framework Agreement for early settlement of the Naga political issues.

The rally also accused the Assam Rifles of "indirectly seeding to provoke communal tension between different ethnic group living in the Kamjong district by patronizing KNA/KNO" .

Speaking on the sideline of the public rally, the Headman of Bungpa village M Chithung who is also the chairman of Eastern Tangkhul & Kuki Welfare Association said that Kamjong is a very sensitive region where many proscribed outfits have their presence sheltering in its border villages.

The Tangkhul social organization leaders of the region had approached and communicated several times with the Commandant Ajay Kumar to withdraw and shift the KNA/KNO cadres from Kamjong to their designated camp, despite public pressure and demand, the AR officer paid no heed and provided shelter to cadres, he alleged.

If the higher authorities fail to act upon the demand of the people, unnecessary situation - public uproar and confrontation may broke out anytime, he said.

A memorandum jointly signed by 12 civil society organizations of Kamjong district including Eastern Tangkhul Naga Long, Raizan Long, Sambu Raiping Long, Raizan Students' Union, Eastern Tangkhul Students' Org, Kamjong Development Committee, Associate Women's Org, Headman Bungpa village, Bungpa Khullen Women Org, Raizan Women's Org, Kamjong Students' Union and Saputang Womens' Org have been submitted to the Chairman, Ceasefire Monitoring Group, GoI through DC Kamjong.

The memorandum was received by Extension Officer Kamjong as DC and SDO were not available in their offices, said the Bungpa village Headman.

The CSO leaders strongly resented and condemned the officers concerned for their "dereliction of duty", he said.

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