Imphal, August 16 2009: While coming down heavily on the Assam Rifles, the Naga frontal organisations said that in spite of the existence of ceasefire, the security forces allegedly tortured and killed NSCN-IM functionaries.

In this regard, a 48-hour bandh has been called in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur from the midnight of August 17 .

The United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM), All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) have strongly condemn the 'inhumane act of indiscriminate firing' by the 23rd Assam Rifles at Shakok and neighbouring villages in Ukhrul district after a group of NSCN (IM) were spotted while crossing the road.

"Even after Mr.Salmon Hungyo, a cadre of NSCN (IM) identified himself, the 23rd Assam Rifles personnel brutally tortured and killed him and in the continued firing and random shelling by the security forces, another cadre was also killed despite the cease-fire between the Government of India and the NSCN.

"The Assam Rifles personnel have put up barbed wire in and around the area and on the roads leading to the area and all means of transports and communications have been cut off by the Assam Rifles personnel posted there.

The Assam Rifles personnel have imposed restriction of movement in the area by barring villages to attend to their fields and other domestic activities.

The life and food security of the villagers is uncertain at this juncture.

We call upon all people who believed in democracy including international community to persuade the Government to respect and honour the agreed terms enter between Government of India and NSCN as two entities," asserted the statement.

The UNC and other civil society organizations made attempt to visit the spot on August 12 and 13 but were stopped to proceed to Shakok village on the pretext that it is not safe for civilians to go there.

Extremely agitated and anguished at the attitude of the Assam Rifles personnel, thousands of women folks including other civil societies marched to the spot to assist and defuse the situation but again stopped by the Assam Rifles personnel and were detained from proceeding to the spot for a long time.

However, the women folk managed to reach the spot and have come back to Ukhrul with reports of atrocities and human rights violations, the statement added.

It further stated that the Naga frontal organizations with all their units in the hill districts of Manipur and also from the neighbouring states have extended support and solidarity to the immediate affected villagers and women folks who are at the spot to assist the situation and prevent further blood shed.

"If Assam Rifles personnel continue to disturb peaceful atmosphere in the Shakok and neighbouring villages under Phungyar Sub- division, the women organizations of other districts would proceed to the area with humanitarian aid and to defend the affected people," it also added.

In this regard, the UNC, All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM), and Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM) have called upon all the Naga citizens to condemn the act of Assam Rifles and as a show of support to the affected people, organize a mass "Prayer and torch rally" from 6 pm on August 16 in all the Naga areas.

A 48- hour general strike is also being called from midnight of 17 in Naga areas demanding the Government of India to respect the hard earned cease-fire and to withdraw all AR/ Para-military forces from Naga areas and redress all human rights violation perpetrated upon the innocent Naga peoples.

"We appeal to the Naga people to be vigilant against military subjugation by state and central armed forces and be prepared to defend our rights through democratic means of demonstration and agitations.

The Naga frontal organizations call on the AR personnel to observe and respect the ceasefire ground rules as it could negate the hard earned peace dialogue between Government and NSCN," the statement concluded.

Comment