Tangkhul CSOs leaders stage sit-in protest against AR for filing 'unwarranted' FIR
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik.

Ukhrul, December 11 2019: Condemning the 27 Assam Rifles for filing unwarranted FIR against the CSOs of Tangkhul Naga Community, volunteers and leaders of several Tangkhul CSOs namely Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Katamnao Long (TKL), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Wungnao Long (TWL) along with four zonal chairmen of Tangkhul region staged a sit-in protest in front of Ava Market Phungreitang, Ukhrul, today.

During the demonstration, the protesters demanded immediate redressal for repression against the leaders of CSOs and harassment of innocent civilians by the security personnel.

Tangkhul CSOs leaders stage sit-in protest against AR for filing 'unwarranted' FIR

Speaking to media persons, TNL president Hopingson A' Shimray expressed that it is their duty to safeguard their inherent rights and condemned the 27 Assam Rifles for filing FIR against the CSOs under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of Indian Penal Code.

President of Tangkhul Headmen Association, AS Vaomi urged all concerned not to be alarmed by the threat of Assam Rifles.

We should be ready and prepare to face any eventuality in order to prevent the arrest of innocent people, he lamented.

The CSOs have clearly stated that the matter of law and order in the villages is absolutely within the purview of Village Authority as mandated by Manipur Hill Areas ( Village Authority) Act 1956, AS Vaomi said and added that the personnel of AR arrested self-styled Brigadier Thotmathing of NSCN-IM along with two other individuals in between Talui and Phaibung road on November 14 without the consent of the Village Authority.

Though the Tangkhul CSOs leaders rushed to the site to bring the situation under control, the report of FIR lodged by AR stated that the crowd forcibly extricated the apprehended individuals from the custody of Assam Rifles, he rued and reasoned that the NSCN-IM leader was rescued by the women folks from the Assam Rifles at Halang Village.

The Tangkhul CSOs strongly condemned the Assam Rifles for lodging the unwarranted FIR, he alleged claiming that the act is being considered as military repression to intimidate the villagers.

Placards that read "Stop military repression on CSOs", "We demand withdrawal of FIR against CSOs" and "We are peacemakers, not terrorist" were displayed by the protesters.

Later, one of the protesters read out the memorandum jointly signed by presidents of TNL, TSL, TKS, TMNL and four chairmen of Tangkhul zonal regions to be submitted to Prime Minister via Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul.

The memorandum seeks immediate withdrawal of FIR No 20(11) 2019 and all the charges framed against the four Civil Societies Organisations.

It urged all concerned to stop the ongoing military repression of the CSOs and progressing militarization of Naga areas and to withdraw all the recently stationed Indian Armed Forces in the area.

The memorandum also appealed all concerned to respect the Bangkok Declaration of 2001 and abide by the ceasefire ground rules both in letter and spirit to ensure the ongoing Indo-Naga cease to bring home the desired lasting peace and permanent solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue.

The same memo was also forwarded to Union Home Minister, Governor of Manipur, Chief Minister of Manipur and to the Chairman of Cease Fire Monitoring Cell, Kohima.

All CSOs leaders, headmen, VAs of Hunphun and Hungpung also participated in the sit-in protest.