EMN
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 8
THE Rengma Naga Peoples’ Council (RNPC) has chronicled the events leading to the outbreak of violence in Karbi Anglong since December 27.
In a press release today, the RNPC has questioned the recent allegations by the All India Karbi National Assembly and the Karbi Anglong Peace Forum who alluded to the hand of a ‘third force’ behind the cause of strife between the Rengma Nagas and the Karbis. So far the violence has killed 18 people, including five women, and rendered thousands homeless, most of whom are taking shelter in relief camps set up by the Assam government.
The RNPC stated they are laying bare the facts for people to assess and correctly judge who has been the aggressor and that the facts will stand for itself before wild and baseless allegations. “The people of Assam and even the Assam government should be able to deduce if indeed a ‘third force’ other than KPLT is responsible for the carnage in Rengma Hills.” it said.
The release also stated that blaming the NSCN (IM) for the unrest in Rengma Hills by the government as carried in the local papers is insensitive to the suffering of the Rengma people and only goes to add salt to the wounds of the victims. The suffering of the Rengmas in Rengma Hills predates even Phizo himself, the RNPC said and asked the KAAC to stop playing politics over dead bodies.
The RNPC has furnished the following facts:
Beginning of conflict: Levying of House tax by Karbi militants since the 1990’s starting with KNV (Rs. 700/- per Rengma household in 2013). Tax on forest products, tax on fishing, tax on orchards, betel nuts, etc.
Immediate Provocation: Creation of Tiger Reserve Forest in Rengma inhabited areas as reported in the Telegraph newspaper, 28th August, 2012. KAAC kept the whole thing wrapped for several years.
Formation of RNHPF: December 2012 to protect Rengma inhabitants of Rengma Hills
Ultimatum to Rengmas: On June 9, 2013, the KPLT joined by the inhabitants of Nakoi Tisso Karbi village summoned all the Rengma Village Gaon Buras, Pastors and Public leaders to Nakoi Tisso Karbi village and served an ultimatum to them to hand over all the cadres of the Rengma Naga Hills Protection Force (RNHPF) along with arms and ammunitions on or before July 9, 2013, failing which all the Rengma Nagas will be killed. Also, Rengmas were ordered to embrace Karbi identity or else. Suspected murder of Mr. Nzankhen Rengma: missing since October 21, 2013. Suspected to have been murdered followed by the Rs. 50,000/- tax demand served on the villagers by KPLT on agricultural products.
November 21, 2013: only lifeline to Rengma area blocked and road destroyed. Threats to life increased during the festive season. Students could not reach homes nor villagers come out to buy their basic needs.
Khirang (Lolashonyu)
Village: On December 13, 2013, two Karbi youths came to Khirang (Lolashonyu) Village and cursed the villagers with foul and abusive languages leading to a further misunderstanding on 14th of December, 2013. On December 17, 2013, there was a joint peace meeting at Sarihuti M.E. School playground with Karbi Student Association (Rajen-Enghee faction), Karbi Youth Council, Karbi Human Rights Watch, Karbi Anglong People’s Association, All India Karbi National Assembly, Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State, Rengma Naga Mothers Association, Rengma Naga Gaonbura Committee and Rengma Naga Students Union. The house discussed and resolved that in future any individual or groups involved in anti-social activities will be fully held responsible by their own tribe and a permanent police outpost be set up with immediate effect.
December 16, 2013: Four Rengma Students on their way to Phangcherop village were stopped and badly beaten up at Cachar Gaon by KPLT and sent back to Silonijan. The students were on vacation.
December 18, 2013: Despite the peace resolution of 17th December, Mr. Shaite Rengma, Pastor of Shathi Village Baptist Church was badly beaten up by KPLT at Lakhiram Gaon when he was returning from Rechangari Village after attending the funeral service of his son-in-law. The militants used their guns and deadly weapons to assault him.
December 19, 2013: KPLT militants kidnapped Mr. Nanthi Rengma, a resident of Panjan Lekthe village and assaulted him. Later the miscreants broke the bunds of his 5 bigha fishery and took away all the fishes.
December 21, 2013: Through blank firing, KPLT militants threatened and chased away Rengma contingent on their way to Lakhan Hanse village, commonly known as Cachar, to attend the Peace Meeting convened at Koilamati by the Block Level Congress Committee (Nilip Constituency) and the Superintendant of Police, Karbi Anglong.
December 22, 2013: KPLT badly assaulted three Rengma youths, namely Mr. Gimathong Rengma, Mr. Samuel Rengma and Mr. Renenthang Rengma at Teron Gaon, a Karbi Village.
December 25, 2013: The KPLT militants fired some few shots near Khonwani Village. The villagers immediately made telephone calls to Santipur Police station Officer-in-charge for protection. But they failed to rush to the spot that night.
December 27, 2013: At around 6:00 A.M more than 100 Karbi militants with sophisticated arms and ammunitions accompanied by Karbis from neighboring villages with machete and spears marched into Khonwani Rengma village and started burning down the granaries, blasting away the houses with grenades and completely destroyed the agricultural produce and domesticated animals including cattle. In this attack four Rengmas were shot point blank in the head inside their own house. Among the victims were three were old women. The deceased are Mrs. Ngashenle Nyenthang Rengma, Mrs. Rhinghole Himbii Rengma, Mrs. Logule sebii Rengma and Mr. Kegwathong Kemp Rengma. In a separate incident on the same day, three more Rengma houses were burnt down to ashes at Tarajan (Lorenyu) village.
December 28, 2013: Similar to Khonwani village incident, in nearby Sathi Rengma Village, houses were totally torched and another two elderly women shot dead and their bodies burnt beyond recognition. The two deceased are Mrs. Tegile Nyenthang Rengma and Mrs. Helole Sebii Rengma.
December 28 and 29, 2013: Reinong Rengma Village (Nilip Block) under Chowkihola PS was burnt to ashes. Altogether 18 houses were burnt including Rengma Student’s Hostel. The same night, Karbis from neighboring villages and their militants attacked Borlangso Rengma village in the presence of police personnels. The mob burnt 39 Rengma houses including granaries to ashes.
The statement on behalf of the Rengma Naga Peoples Council has been issued by the president Shahi K. Rengma and general secretary K. Solomon Rengma.
