Dimapur, October 24 : The Lotha Hoho and other Lotha frontal organisations of Wokha will hold a public protest rally in Wokha town on October 26 to protest against the “unprovoked violation” of the peaceful atmosphere in Wokha district by 28 Assam Rifles stationed in Wokha on October 23.
The protest rally will begin at 9 am and will be attended by all the citizens of the town, including students, Lotha Hoho chairman Mhao Humtsoe and general secretary Er. Mhondamo Ovung informed in a release on Monday.
The Lotha Hoho has asked everyone to be present in traditional Lotha/concerned tribe attire, college and school uniforms, at main Police Point, Wokha town. It has also asked all educational institutions and business establishments to cooperate.
The Hoho informed that the protest rally will be peaceful but urged the district administration and police to ensure its security.
WDCCI informs business establishments
The Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industries (WDCCI) has informed all business establishments in and around Wokha town to close their shops during the proposed Lotha Hoho protest rally from 9 am on October 26 and partiocipate in it as a gesture of solidarity.
It also informed that movement of all commercial vehicles will be restricted during the rally, the WDCCI in a release issued by president Renponthung Ezung and general secretary S Abenthung Ngullie said.
LSU informs educational institutions
Condemning the incident, the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) informed all the educational institutions within Wokha town to send all the students from Class VIII and above to participate in the rally.
Naga Hoho meets CFMG chairman
Naga Hoho officials met Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) chairman DK Pathak in Kohima on Wednesday in connection with the Okotsa village incident on Sunday and appraised him on the “high handedness” of the security forces.
The Naga Hoho strongly condemned what it called the “blatant act” of 28 Assam Rifles in which one GPRN/NSCN cadre was killed and another injured at the surrounding area of Okotso village under Wokha district on October 23. “We are convinced that such killings could have been averted had the Assam Rifles dealt with such situation with better understanding and reasoning,” Naga Hoho president P Chuba Ozukum and general secretary Mutsikhoyu Yhobu said in a release.
Alleging that very often, the security forces deliberately demean the existence of Naga armies under the pretext of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Naga Hoho appealed to the Assam Rifles not to break the “breach of trust” and honour the ceasefire ground rules with all seriousness. It further appealed to the Armed Forces to maintain utmost restraint rather than perpetrating violence and killing “human life” under the excuse of maintaining law and order.
GBs condemn
The Nagaland GBs Federation has vehemently condemned the alleged excesses of the 28 Assam Rifles at Okotso village on October 23. The Assam Rifles calling themselves the Friends of the Hill’s People and trying to jeopardy the peace process is highly condemnable, president of the federation Shahlem Konyak and general secretary Shikuto Zalipu said in a release on Wednesday adding that the motive behind the attack at this crucial period compelled the Nagas to apprehend the hidden agenda of Government of India.
The NGBF urged the Government of India to set up an inquiry commission and expose the culprits for befitting punishment dimmed fit under the law of the land. It further conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and wished speedy recovery of those injured, saying “Nagas shall remember the supreme sacrifice made for the cause of the Nation”.
