EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 16
Taking its strong protest to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and also to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the Pangsha incident, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) accused the government of India of employing a ‘dual policy’ by indulging in ‘unwarranted’ killings of NSCN (K) ‘unarmed’ cadres, including its chaplain, civilians and women. In its memorandum submitted to the PMO and MHA, the NMA said the 23rd Assam Rifles killed the people at the International Trade centre, Dan in Pangsha area of Tuensang district. “This horrifying killing took place in the midst of hectic missions of peace building efforts by the Nagas, and happened when the Naga peace talk interlocutor R N Ravi was just on his way out after meeting a cross section of the Nagas in the capital Kohima,” the memorandum said. “The fact that this ambush was premeditated and planned knowing very well the presence of women and civilians, makes it highly questionable, the very presence of the peace talk Interlocutor from the Prime Minister’s Office on one hand and the meticulous planning that seems to have been done by the armed forces to target the women and civilians on that fateful day,” alleged.
The memorandum of the NMA then claimed that the four-member “Naga Mother’s Peace Team” was on its way to a meeting with the leaders of the NSCN (Khaplang), on the very route when this ambush took place. “As eye witnesses to the gory aftermath ,when we reached the spot two days later on August 30, 2015, we are hereby submitting proof and photographic evidence of the random killings that took place in the wide open area in the compound of the International Trade Centre, Dan, Pangsha area for your perusal and intervention,” the NMA missive stated. “What is most tragic is that several local civilians from the other side of the Myanmar border had taken lifts on the Bolero pick up to reach home only to be condemned to their deaths by the ruthless guns of the Indian armed forces,” the NMA memorandum further alleged. According to it, two civilians carrying baskets of salt were gunned down as they stood on the back of the Bolero pick up.“Their baskets of salt which are hard to get in these remote villages on the other side of the border were still standing on the back of the truck when we reached the spot two days later as is visible from the photograph enclosed,” the NMA missive also said. According to it, an unarmed, simple villager on his way to his village, along a footpath above the ITC was gunned down in cold blood, “the only traces are his small sling bag made from rough gunny sack, his torch and small things scattered on the grass, seen in the photo enclosed.” The missive further recounted that a young wife of one of the cadres was on her way to visit her young husband when she was killed on the spot by the Indian forces as well as her husband who had come over near the border to receive her. “Another young girl, not yet twenty years of age, was splattered with bullets, and yet lived to tell the tale as she now lies in a hospital in Kohima, not sure if she will ever walk. Enclosed is photos of her blanket that saved her life, but riddled with bullet holes,” the memorandum mentioned. It also recounted that another young mother of three children, who had been invited by her husband to come and supervise the hosting of the Naga mothers team and had come laden with food items on the Bolero pick up from her hometown, was grievously injured in both her legs with splinters from the grenade hurled at the Bolero pick up, in its first phase of attack. She now lies in a hospital bed in Mokokchung fearing for her life and her family as she recounted the horrors of that day. A young man identified as a civilian, was gunned down in cold blood and shot through the head right in front of the injured. Her brother who helped her drive her car till Noklak town, which was parked outside the Noklak Police Station, and another civilian who survived were captured by the Armed forces and had false FIRs filed against them after this terrible outburst of vengeance by the Assam Rifles, further said the NMA memorandum. “The unarmed Chaplain’s bike lay in front of the ITC Guest House, his sandals neatly left beside his fallen bike, as he too became a target of relentless killing.”
The representation said, “As mothers and women of the land, we grieve the loss of every death of our children, whether they be cadres, civilians or women and children.” In the midst of so much of efforts for peace, it is unacceptable that the Government of India is using two languages to speak on peace, while pursuing peace through the Interlocutor and at the same time ,using the Indian Army to flout all forms of international conventions on human rights by targeting civilians, women and children, it added. It also said the NMA team had also called on the Inspector General Assam Rifles back in the capital Kohima to register our strong protest on the killings and targeting of civilians. However, it is shocking the Major General showed no remorse for the civilian deaths or the injured women. “Which leads us to ask the question – has the Government of India declared a war on the Naga civilians as well? We are a people born out of wars since our forefathers, and with thousands who have lost their lives at the cost of freedom, we are at a point in history where its women seek desperately for measures to bring peace among our brothers as well as with India. Therefore, the NMA reiterates that seeking vengeful killings for the unfortunate deaths of Indian armed soldiers is not the solution or answer to peace in this war torn land. Nor will bounties on the heads of the NSCN (K) leaders or a ban on the group, work as a solution for peace, because no matter what, they are also freedom fighters, and our sons and brothers, and not terrorists.”
“Sir, therefore, in the face of escalations of armed tensions, serious build up of militarisation by Indian armed forces in towns and villages, including the capital of Kohima, we seek to draw your immediate attention to the security issues in the state and also fragility of the peace process,” it urged adding, “Women’s right to peace and security must be respected and adhered to by the Government of India and all efforts must be made to initiate for a peaceful solution.” The NMA missive then reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the light of the Wuzu killings of children and the Pangsha ambush on civilians where precious lives have been lost. “We demand the withdrawal of all Indian Armed Forces from the state and re deployment of thousands of our own Naga IRBs within the state, who are presently posted in Kashmir, West Bengal, Delhi and so on. This is a measure that will bring down the continuing conflict and give a breather for peace initiatives.”
The NMA then said it is committed to bring our brothers in the NSCN (K) into a Ceasefire with the Government of India, “and we will continue in our peace initiatives.” The NMA representation also assured that it will continue to reach out to the other Naga political groups, in the hope that they ensure a peaceful future and destiny for their younger generations. “We therefore, seek your co-operation and immediate intervention into indiscriminate killings and militarisation by the Indian armed forces in the state of Nagaland,” the missive urged. “We demand justice through a high level Inquiry which must be immediately constituted to investigate into the ITC, Dan, Pangsha civilian killings by the 23rd Assam Rifles and due punitive action be taken thereof.”
The NMA then reminded that “as mothers we also share the pain and grief of every Indian family whose sons have lost their lives in the line of duty but, it must be acknowledged that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and its impunity and immunity do not bring us peace nor to the Indians.” “We urge the Government of India to seek peace with honesty and stand by the International Conventions signed by the country, with true commitment,” the NMA memorandum added.
