Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 29
Out of the eight persons killed by the Assam Rifles on Friday near the International Trade Center along the Indo-Myanmar border near Pangsha village in Tuensang district, it has now emerged that at least two of them were civilians or, as carelessly called by the Assam Rifles, “over ground workers.”
Intelligence sources on Saturday night informed that the two civilians killed have been identified as Anten Konyak and Enzo Konyak, both hailing from Yangkhao village under Tobu sub-division in Mon district.
The sources also informed that the woman killed in the encounter has been identified as Atoli Sumi, the wife of NSCN (K) leader, Joseph Sumi. The remaining five persons killed were all NSCN (K) activists, according to the source.
Kakheni Sumi, the wife of NSCN (K) leader, Isak Sumi– who had sustained bullet injuries during the firing was reportedly brought to Tuensang hospital early Saturday morning at around 1 am. But later she was referred to another hospital in Mokokchung, the nearest healthcare unit.
The identity of the other woman, suspected to be aged around 16-17 years, injured in the incident could not be established till the filing of this report. However, sources said that she hailed from Hempu village in Myanmar.
Eastern Mirror on Saturday evening contacted the state Home Minister, Y Patton for further information and confirmation. However, repeated calls made on the Home Minister’s phone went unanswered.
Sacrifices would
inflame the patriotic spirit : NSCN(K)
The NSCN (K) in a press release issued today stated that the massacre of unarmed NSCN/GPRN members and innocent civilians by Indian Army at Pangsha shall bear testimony before the world for generations to come that the price the Nagas pay in blood and lives to defend her God gifted sovereign rights can never be suppressed with demonic martial forces, the sacrifices would only inflame the patriotic and nationalist spirit of the Nagas and would never go down in vain.
“Every martyrdom shall replicate itself and Nagas would never be found wanting in men and spirit in the fight to reclaim her birthright. At this peak of suppression of Nagas by Indian Military might, it is equally abominable that vested Nagas chose to become collaborators and instruments of adversary to further trample upon the Nagas without any conscience,” it stated.
The NSCN (K) vowed that “such enemy agents” shall face judgments and that the outfit shall leave no stones unturned to prosecute them under anti-national act. The NSCN also appeals to every conscientious and patriotic Nagas to uphold the sacrifices of both NSCN comrades and civilian Nagas who has paid their precious lives in defense of our nation, it added. “Let their martyrdom ring throughout the land and endear every Naga to resist the illegal and forceful subjugation of our Nation and people for decades by India. Every Naga has a duty to fight for the honor and right of her people, kuknalim” it stated.
Naga Hoho has derided the ‘absence of humanity and compassion’ on the part of Assam Rifles despite repeated appeals to exercise utmost restraint while carrying out operations.
‘What is more intriguing and hilarious is that the Assam Rifles after killing and injuring innocent citizens at Pangsha, continues to have the audacity to claim that they “displayed a very high order of restraint and fire discipline to ensure that the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) did not suffer fatal injuries during the fire fight,” the Hoho general secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu said in a press release.
While condemning such barbaric act of killing and injuring civilians, the Hoho has urged the authorities to ascertain the facts and circumstances and punish the guilty at the earliest. Further, the Hoho reiterate its earlier appeal to the Assam Rifles to exercise utmost restraint and not to vitiate the atmosphere any more.
Also condemning the incident The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) said the NSCN (K), civilians and women at Pangsha by armed forces on August 28 happened while the NMA peace team was on its way for a peace dialogue with NSCN (K) leaders.
“As mothers we are shocked and grief stricken at the tragic loss of lives,” stated Rosemary Dzuvichu, the advisor of NMA, in a release today.
The association conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The release stated that NMA team had called on top officials of the Assam Rifles at Tuensang on Saturday to register their strong protest against the killings and for the AR to exercise utmost restraint.
The mothers’ group also earnestly appealed to the NSCN (K) to abstain from any retaliation and give a chance for a peaceful dialogue for the sake of peace and tranquility “in our land”.
Meanwhile, the NMA team paid their last respects to the departed and laid floral wreaths and shawls this evening at the Tuensang Police Station where a simple ceremony was held.
