SDSA takes strong exception to Kuki-Zo rally in Naga areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, September 01 2024: Vehemently condemning the manhandling of Naga volunteers by participants of the rally organised by the Kuki Students' Organisation-Sadar Hills (KSO-SH) at Tumnoupokpi Naga village on Saturday, the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) has warned that the KSO-SH should be held accountable for any consequences.

Meanwhile, the Thangal Union and the Senapati District Women Association (SDWA) have condemned in the strongest terms the provocative and violent attitude of the rally participants.

The SDSA has vehemently condemned the manhandling of SDSA leaders and volunteers who took part in a peaceful human chain at Tumnoupokpi Naga village to block the Kuki rally from proceeding further to Naga areas by the participants of the rally.

SDSA takes strong exception to Kuki-Zo rally in Naga areas

Such provocation and violent attitude of the participants of the rally organised by KSO-SH despite prior appeal to refrain from taking the rally to Naga inhabited areas is questionable and unacceptable, the SDSA said in a statement.

It questioned the motives and agenda of the rally organizers who were responsible for trespassing into the Naga areas despite the prior appeal.

Moreover, the provocative nature of rally participants openly screaming "We demand Kukiland, this is our land" in Naga inhabited areas is highly questionable for which the rally organizers KSO-SH can be termed as provoking the Nagas, it said.

SDSA made it clear in earlier statements that it did not recognise the merger of southern Senapati and Naga areas into Kangpokpi district by the then Government, and had reiterated the UNC's demand to roll back the creation of new districts.

The so called peace rally of KSO-SH in Naga traditional boundaries and ancestral land demanding separate administration or Kukiland is unacceptable.

For any consequences resulting from manhandling SDSA leaders and volunteers in the presence of Central and State security personnel, the KSO-SH should be held accountable and the SDSA should not be held responsible for any outcome in the near future.

Each time the Kuki peace rally turns violent, the barbaric nature of the Kukis is revealed, SDWA said.

"The assault on SDSA leaders during the peace rally is outrightly condemned, as there was a prior appeal by the association (SDSA) not to hold any rally in any form in the Naga inhabited areas to the rally organisers", the SDWA said.

Video clips of the rally participants picking up pebbles and stones to pelt and attack the SDSA leaders and openly shouting "We demand Kukiland, This is Kuki land" in Naga inhabited areas are clearly seen, it said adding that this has gone beyond the tolerance of the peace loving people.

The women's body also urged for tactfulness and mindfulness in dealing with sensitive issues during this fragile juncture.

The Thangal Union too has strongly condemned the manhandling of SDSA volunteers by rally participants and denounced the press statement of KSO-SH issued later in the evening.

Such aggressive posture from the rally participants was seen as a show of force and an intimidation tactic, the union remarked.

The union has expressed absolute displeasure and condemnation against the expansion of Kuki protest rally into Thangal Naga areas of Kangpokpi on August 31, 2024 .

It was completely unacceptable where KSO Sadar Hills, despite several appeals not to take their agitation to Naga areas, approved the plan to traverse through the areas that are under the ancestral territorial jurisdiction of the Thangal Nagas, it mentioned.

When the rally ended, taking such protest activity to Naga areas, even if it was intended to be peaceful, has the potential to quickly escalate and turn violent.

Following Saturday's incident, fear, apprehension and anxiety have gripped the Thangal Nagas living across the State.

The Thangal Union then called for cessation of all such activities in future that will jeopardize the peace and harmony in the area while urging the Government to use every available resources to prevent any escalation.

The union further urged all to redouble their efforts to work for a permanent peace in the State.

On the other hand, the KSO-Ukhrul district withdrew the rally in Ukhrul district after the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) raised strong objection to the proposed rally.

The KSO-Ukhrul district issued a statement on August 31 informing that the proposed rally in Ukhrul district has been withdrawn considering the sentiment of the Naga community.