EMN
Kohima, March 11
The apex body of students in the region, North East Students’ Organization (NESO) while condemning the alleged rape of a Naga girl by Syed Farid Khan and also the ‘brutal killing’ of the rape accused by the agitating mob, today appealed to the people of both the states to exhibit maturity and honour the age old relationship.
NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa and Secretary General Sinam Prakash Singh in a statement earnestly urged “upon the people of Assam and Nagaland not to drag the unfortunate incident into communal line as it will have huge ramification in our society’, particularly at a time when north east people are trying to stand together as a family in every issues that is confronting our people today”.
Rather, they said, the present issue should be addressed with sincerity, trust and understanding so as to make sure that such incident does not happen again in any part of the north eastern region.
NESO also appealed to the people of both the states that under any circumstances, innocent people living across the states should not be harmed or targeted rather both the states should ensure safety of the people living in there.
“The age old relationship of neighbours Assam and Nagaland has always been an inspiration to other states in the region,” they said and therefore urged upon Assam and Nagaland to exhibit maturity, honouring the good relationship they have maintained over the years and give their best effort to bring the situation back to normal at the earliest in the interest of the North East Region and the people of Assam and Nagaland.
NSF presidential council directs federating units
The 4th Presidential Council meeting of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) while condemning the alleged rape incident on February 24, also strongly condemned the barbaric act of the mob at the central jail, Dimapur and demanded that the enquiry committee should thoroughly investigate the whole episode so that the truth behind the entire incident will be revealed.
The presidential council meeting held here today also directed all its members under the respective unit not to participate or take part in any kind of rally, function or public gathering without permission from the parent students’ body. Any member defying the directives shall be doing on at his/her own risk and responsibility, it said.
A statement issued by NSF president Tongpang Ozukum and general secretary Esther Rhakho said that the Presidential Council appealed to the entire people across the country not to misinterpret the recent Dimapur incident in communal line or terms.
It also resolved to take every possible measure to ensure safety of people from outside the state residing in their respective districts.
The NSF and the Presidential council while reiterating its earlier clarification, made its stand ‘very clear’ that the NSF in no way is involved in the mob action at central jail Dimapur.
They clarified that the NSF officials went down to Dimapur on March 4 afternoon with good intention to pacify the agitators which allegedly started from the City Tower junction, Dimapur on the same day and later on gathered at DC office complex Dimapur demanding the culprit to be handed over to them.
Maintaining that it was the agitators insisting that there will be a rally the next day, the NSF leaders said adding that they (agitators) themselves fixed the date, time and place and insisted on an assurance of NSF presence in the rally.
However, the NSF clarified that since there was no one to take initiative, the NSF informed the district administration to relax 144 CrPc specifically for the rally and also informed the recognized civil societies based in Dimapur to attend the rally.
“In a democratic society everyone has the right to express their resentment but not taking law into their hands,” they said while also expressing that the peaceful rally should not be linked with the mob action at the central jail under any circumstances.
The NSF also wondered as to who instigated the minds of the agitators that the accused should be handed over to them or what made the agitators so reluctant to hand over the matter to Naga apex organizations.
“This is a serious matter as there seems to be some external elements involved behind the scenes; therefore, the matter should be thoroughly investigated and bring to light,” the NSF added.
