34th Onae Reh Dah observed at Avafii
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, July 09 2021: Naga leaders and citizens observed the 34th Onae Reh Dah on Friday, commemorating the Oinam's 1987 Operation Bluebird at PK Shedu Resort, Avafii, Kathikho Karong under Senapati district.

"The gathering paid tribute and homage to the Naga civilians who were killed, tortured, raped and molested and forced to hard labour during the Operation Bluebird, 1987," according to Naga leaders participating in the programme.

The commemoration was organised by Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR).

Poumai Naga Union hosted the programme along with Poumai Naotumai Me (PNM), Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM), Oinam Hill Village Authority and Oinam Hill Youth and Students Organisation (OHYSO) .

The gathering was moderated by LM Tabitha, former president, Naga Women Union (NWU) .

Rev P James, executive secretary of Poumai Naga Baptist Association (PNBA) pronounced opening prayer and closing prayer was said by Dahrii Dominic, Catechist, St Joseph Catholic Church, Vakho D Veiloune and JenymaKho enthralled the gathering with songs.

Dr Rosemary Dziivichu, co-convener of Global Naga Forum (GNF) who is also advisor of Naga Mothers' Association (NMA), in her speech appealed the Naga leaders garnered in the event to pursue justice for the victims of Oinam incident with commitment, support a.nd solidarity.

She said, "Let the commemoration be a gathering of victory and not of defeat" .

She then conveyed the support of Global Naga Forum for the Oinam case.

She also conveyed the appeal from GNF that Nagas must continue to think beyond borders, consider each other as one, keep building fraternity, bonding amongst the Nagas and tell the Nagas' story to the world.

Atokiho Sumi, vice-president of Naga Students' Federation (NSF) in his speech expressed that "as young Nagas we long for the future without conflict and war".

Solidarity messages were delivered by Kho John, president of the United Naga Council(UNC), Asha Wungnam, president of Naga Women's Union, Wanglar Thiirtung, president of All Naga Manipur Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Solomon Arow, president of Naga Peoples Organisation (NPO).

Joyson Mazamo, Convener of NPMHR (South), in his keynote address, urged the Government of India to come clean by "dispensing justice for all victims of Operation Bluebird; repealing Armed Forces Special Powers Act; scrapping the Protected Area Permit Regime; restoring peace, a peace that we want and not that is prescribed or imposed and dignity in Nagas' land".

It may be mentioned that NPMHR filed writ petition in October 1987 to the Gauhati High Court, charging that the security forces had committed the following cognizable offences: murder, manslaughter, infliction of grievous injuries, rape and sexual harassment; arson, looting and theft; desecration of Church; wanton destruction of public and private properties; including school buildings; illegal evictions; illegal raids, seizures; illegal detentions and arrests and forced labour.

Since 1988, the people of Oinam Hill (Onaeme) had been observing July 9, as a 'Day of Prayer' abstaining from work and gradually adopted the name "Onae Reh Dah-(The Great Battle of Oinam)" in the year 2006 and commemorated 25th year in 2012 at Oinam Hill Village.

Meanwhile, the village leaders of Oinam Hill composed of village chiefs, village authorities, Oinam Hill Youth and Students Organisation (OHYSO) executives, Women Society executives, local pastor and catechist commemorated the 34th Onae Reh Dah.

Tree plantation marked the commemoration of the historic event.

Kh Raopihg, village chief and Th Ngulane, village leader narrated the stories of Onae Reh Dah.

Later on, the leaders paid floral tribute to the martyrs of Onae Reh Dah with prayer.

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