Tangkhul women rally against AFSPA, border fencing & FMR revocation
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, November 15 2024: Thousands of Tangkhul women took out a rally against the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA), revocation of Free Movement Regime (FMR), and the border fencing project in Naga territory, today.

The rally began from two points viz Kharasom junction and Dungrei junction and converged at Wino Bazar for a public meeting.

Before the meeting, the gathering observed silence for a minute to show respect to Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long president Late Themaso and general secretary AGS Masothing, who lost their lives recently.

Meanwhile, Neingolu Krome, secretary general of Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) lauded the Naga women for strengthening the Naga's political movement without any hesitation.

Tangkhul women rally against AFSPA, border fencing & FMR revocation

He said there is no Indo-Myanmar border in Naga homeland.

Saying that forceful imposition to divide Naga's family may lead to severe repercussions, he said that Nagas across the regions are equally prepared to fight against any repressive policies by the Indian Government.

Saying that the Government of India militarized the Naga homeland, he added that many Nagas have been killed and tortured by Central forces while women have been sexually assaulted.

He said that not a single security personnel has been penalised for the wrongdoing.

NPMHR has approached the Government of India to appoint a new Interlocutor to the peace talks who can settle Indo-Naga political issues amicably, he added.

President of Naga Women Union Manipur Priscilla Thiumai, on the other hand, expressed strong opposition against the revocation of FMR and imposition of AFSPA in the guise of controlling illegal immigrants and checking drug trafficking in Naga's homeland.

She said that Nagas want peace not militarisation 'in our land' .

According to her, 40 per cent of Nagas live in Myanmar and 60 per cent in India.

Saying that FMR was revoked to divide Nagas living across the border, Priscilla asked why there is huge deployment of military in Naga's homeland particularly in Kamjong and Tengnoupal district when the conflict is between Kuki and Meitei.

She stated that Nagas are free people and they never were under any political dominance.

UNC secretary Vareiyo Shatsang said that there will be irreparable damage to the hard earned peace deal if the Indian Government fails to address the issues and the demands of the Nagas in time.

The rallyists held placards demanding "Settle Indo-Naga political issues right now", "No bifurcation of Nagas land", "Government of India stop delay tactics," "Sovereignty of the Nagas lies with people", "Reinstate FMR," "Repeal AFSPA", "Stop militarization in Naga homeland", "Respect human rights" etc.

The Tangkhul women took a pledge to usher in peace and safeguard the women's rights.

The delegates from Nagas across the border including the Naga apex organisations leaders from Naga Hoho, Naga Students Federation, United Naga Council, All Naga Students Association Manipur, Naga Mother Association, Eastern Naga Women Organization, Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, Global Naga Forum and Tangkhul Naga Cultural & Literary Committee Myanmar participated in the rally jointly organised by Tangkhul Shanao Long and Tangkhul Katamnao Long.