NPMHR, PNU observe 31st commemoration of Operation Bluebird at Vakho
Source: The Sangai Express / The Hornbill Express
Senapati, July 09 2018:
The 31st commemoration of Operation Bluebird, also known as 'Onae Reh Dan' in Oinam village dialect, the great battle of Oinam was held at the community hall at Vakho, New Karong.
The programme was organised by the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), hosted by the Poumai Naga Union (PNU) while the Poumai Naga Students Union (PNTM) and Oinam Hill village were the supporting organisations of the event.
The programme organised to show solidarity with the brave hearts of Oinam Hill village and the 30 neighbouring villages affected by the 'infamous' Operation Bluebird was attended by representatives of UNC, ANSAM, NWU, NPO, SDSA, SDWA, PNNM and the PNCM.
Dramatical depiction of the �Onae Reh Dah' by Oinam Hill villagers marked the commemoration.
In his keynote address, Soloni Pao, president of the PNU said that the world came to know of the 'existence' of the Nagas after the incident of the Operation Bluebird.
During the operation, the locals together with villagers of more than 30 neighbouring villages suffered afflictions 'in the hands of the Indian Army', he said.
The day was observed formerly by the local villagers at village level as Day of Prayer1 since 1989, he said.
Neingulo Krome, secretary general, NPMHR said that the body had gone through all the hardships faced by the people in the 'cruel hands' of the Indian Army that shocked everyone.
'Finally', Govt of India had realized that military operation could not solve the Naga issue and eventually the Govt of India and the NSCN-IM signed ceasefire agreement in the year 1997 during the Prime Ministership of Narasimha Rao, post a decade of the Oinam incident.
Thereafter, political dialogues between the two parties took place where several rounds of talk were held outside the country.
In 2004 during one of the talk in Amsterdam, the Govt of India recognised the unique history of the Nagas, he said.
The secretary general of the NPMHR urged the gathering that time has come to rise up from slumber and further urged the people to unite and fight for their rights.
People should stop suppressing one another but should uplift one another and have confidence on each other, he said.
Former Minister, Govt of Manipur, Benjamin Banee in his testimony said that the atrocities meted out to the civilians after the Oinam incident were uncountable.
He was an MLA during that time; he said adding he was also arrested by the army for coming to the village and helping the people.
In another testimony, K K Shimthing, GB, Khongdei Khuman said that he was one of the lucky few who survived when they were shot at.
He said that many died because of the atrocities meted out by the army and asserted that he was also assaulted brutally by the army.
The army called the villagers on pretext of providing medicines, but were beaten instead, he asserted.
"The atrocities done to the Oinam villagers and neighbouring villages can never be amended in any form.
We can only pray to God for the Almighty to comfort the bereaved families and the affected people," said president of United Naga Council, Gaidon Kamei.
The denial of entry of different organizations and personalities by the army into Oinam village after the incident could not crush the spirit of Naga nationalism, he said.
He urged all to stop 'rationalism' and 'fascism' and asked the people to strive together for the final settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue.