Ukhrul rally for Anthony Shimray's release
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, April 16 2012: The public campaign for unconditional release of Ningkhan Anthony Shimray, head of NSCN (IM)'s foreign affairs, is gaining momentum with a peaceful mass rally held today in Ukhrul town with high turnout of people including school children.

On Monday, the streets in Ukhrul town witnessed thousands of rallyists marched from both ends of the town and converged at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground, where a public meeting was convened and a memorandum to be submitted to the India's Prime Minister was read out to the congregation.

Organised by Committee for Release of Ningkhan Shimray (CRNS) and participated by people from 14 different villages, one of the rallies kick-started at 11am from Pakshi ground and the other from Nuyainao's Kharasoom junction simultaneously.

Will the mass rally held today be another just a whisper in the air? The Naga civil societies have been launching a series of campaign ever since the Naga Women Union, Manipur initiated the movement last year.

There has been no response from the Government of India (GoI) so far.

This statement was clearly substantiated by the CRNS.

Leaders of various Tangkhul frontal organisations addressed the gathering and delivered expletives against the GoI.

In every speech the GoI was blamed for pursuing "double standard" and adopting "evil design" in handling the Naga issue.

"Indian government should not betray us...must release Anthony Shimray," said Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long president A.S.Vaomi.

Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) vice president K.Shimtharla termed the "long detention" of Anthony as "unjustified" and called for unconditional release of the Naga leader.

In his expletive speech, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) President Yangmi Khapai hurled accusations saying that "the GoI is not sincere at all" and vowed to protest against its "evil design" .

TKS president questioned "How can the GoI levies charges against peace talks member?" .

He further challenged that if the GoI continues with the "detention ...

we better break the ceasefire and declared was against India" .

Tangkhul Youth Council (TYC) president Ningkhan Shangh vowed to take the 'Free Anthony Campaign' to the limit and threatened that the Naga organisational leaders will take a march to Delhi.

"We will march through the mainland of India and held a sit-in protest at India's House of Parliament," he asserted.

Today's memo to India's PM was endorsed by Tangkhul civil societies and signed by chiefs of 14 villages including Tushar-the birthplace of Ningkhan Shimray.

with confidence and conviction, we believe your honourable office will understand our point and definitely act for safe and unconditional release of Mr.Ningkhan Shimray in the interest of peace with Naga people..." read the representation addressed to India's PM Dr.Manmahon Singh.

In a symbolic show of protest, the Tangkhul womenfolk were all clad in black-coloured kashan (phanek) and turned out in greater number than menfolk.

All along the streets, the rallyists shouted slogans like-"we want peace"; "we demand unconditional release of Ningkhan Anthony Shimray"; "we stand for Naga integrity"; "Restore human rights"; "Is Tihar jail for peace talk member?", etc.

The government offices and business establishments remained downed their shutters for over three hours, while educational institutes remained for today.

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