Nagas pay tribute to May 6 Mao Gate 'martyrs'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Mao Gate, May 06 2015 : Braving scorching heat, hundreds of Nagas, including students, from Nagaland and Manipur came together on Wednesday to pay homage to the two students who were killed on May 6, 2010 Mao Gate shooting. The occasion was the 'fifth martyrdom' anniversary of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshou at the Martyrs' Park in Mao Gate under Senapati district of Manipur.

Both of them were among mammoth group of protesters who took out the rally to protest the State Government's decision to prevent NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah from visiting Somdal, his ancestral village in Ukhrul district.

Several protesters were also hurt in the police action.

The gathering, which even halted the flow of traffic along the National Highway for almost four hours, coming together under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC) reaffirmed the pledge to severe all political ties with the Government of Manipur (GoM) and also to demand the intervention of the Government of India (GoI) for an Alternative Arrangement for Nagas outside the existing State of Manipur.

Nagas pay tribute to May 6 Mao Gate 'martyrs'

The reaffirmation read out on behalf of the Naga people by UNC vice president Warngam remembered and honoured the two heroes for losing their youthful and promising lives.

"On the fifth anniversary, as we pay our respects to the martyred students and other victims of police atrocities of that day, we also manifest our unwavering commitment to the world for an immediate alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue," they reaffirmed.

"Therefore, the Naga people in Manipur asserted to "hold steadfast to the conviction and commitment demonstrated by Late Chakho and Loshou who gave their all for the future and the rights of their people" .

Their sacrifices will continue to inspire and strengthen the Naga people in their struggle and 'we shall indeed overcome, they reaffirmed.

United Naga Council president Gaidon Kamei delivering the martyrs' day message said that Naga people have been suppressed under the oppressive political system of Manipur government Lambasting that the Centre had been playing delay tactics and also instigating the State Governments in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur work against the aspirations of the Naga people, he however expressed the hope an early solution while citing that the present leadership under Narendra Modi in the Centre has assured the Naga people that solution will be worked on time bound manner.

Solidarity messages were also delivered by representatives from Naga Hoho, Naga Students' Federation, All Naga Students' Association Manipur, Naga Women Union and Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (South).

Special numbers were presented by Athini & friends, Mount Gideon HSS and As�f� Christian Institute while UNC acting general secretary S.Milan gave the introduction and UNC speaker Kho John tendered acknowledgement.

Laying of wreaths and one-minute silence in respectful remembrance of the two departed souls and singing Rev.Wati Aier's compose � 'Healing of our Spirit' marked the occasion.