EMN
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 9
The Yimchungru Tribal Council (YTC) has alleged that the administration and security forces “turned a blind eye to the lawlessness. In a strong worded representation to the Chief Minister today, the YTC alleged that the security forces “watched” the rampant arson, burning and destruction of properties, willfully compromising and allowing unprovoked assaulting on the innocent public at Kiphire district headquarters.
It further said that the security forces stationed at Shamator on the other hand had “unlawfully and illegally” resorted to arbitrarily imposing “despotic” rule of law by terrorising and resorting to “shoot-to-kill” on public and students, and grievously injuring and hospitalizing with many in critical condition at Shamator ADC headquarter.
The YTC then demanded that the government must immediately inquire into the ugly incident at Shamator and suspend and punish the erring security officials and personnel. Further, the Yimchungru Tribal Council demanded that “the same yard stick of administration and security duty be applied regardless of location of the township, tribal/ethnic inhabitants and dominance, and overcome this stark naked, communal, prejudices and one-sided administration”.
In addition, the Yimchungru Tribal Council also appealed that government officials belonging to communities having issues with certain group of people at the local level be immediately transferred so as to avoid prejudices, one-sidedness, maladministration and practices specially at Kiphire and Tuensang headquarters. “This war-like declaration and act by the state security machinery is highly questionable by the public at large. An FIR has also been filed in this regard,” the YTC representation added.
7-day ultimatum served
Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) in a memorandum to the state Home commissioner has served seven days ultimatum, counting from February 9, to the state government to nab all those culprits involved in the killing of the couple.
The YTC also demanded that the state government conducts intense investigation into the trouble and give befitting punishment to the trouble makers responsible for the mob activism.
AR on tension diffusing mission
The IGAR(North) in a statement claimed that the 15 Assam Rifles battalion deployed in Shamatore saved several lives in Shamatore town on February 9 by preventing further violence. According to the IGAR(N), at around mid day some firing took place in Shamatore town and a few houses were burnt down. The Assam Rifles battalion immediately mobilised its soldiers and prevented further aggravation of the situation. The battalion also provided water bowsers to douse the fire and prevented further spreading of the fire to adjoining houses, it further claimed.
The statement then said the Assam Rifles is continuously carrying out patrolling of the sensitive areas of Shamatore town and adjoining areas to ensure peace and tranquillity is maintained.
The Government of Nagaland has decided to constitute an Inquiry Commission to probe into the killing of the couple between Shamator and Kiphire, and its consequent aftermath, headed by a DIG Police, according to the Home Commissioner Nagaland. The government has further decided to give appointment to the next of kin and has also decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each to the next of kin.
As Cr.PC 144 continues to remain clamped, at around 1 pm fire fight started in Shamator, Tuensang. The fire fight started after a group of people burned down two houses at Shamator town. Situation is still tense in Shamator town.
In another incident in Kiphire, unruly mob mostly youth defied Cr.PC 144 and went around vandalizing houses that were already damaged on February 7. However, there was no report of any casualty. The situation was brought under control with joint efforts of the civil organizations.
CM: In the aftermath of the killing of a couple on February 6 evening between Shamator and Kiphire by unidentified miscreants and the resultant violence that er upted in different pockets of Kiphire district, Chief Minister TR Zeliang has appealed to all sections of the society to maintain peace and calm and to cooperate with the Police and administration to bring the culprits to book without delay.
The Chief Minister observes that violence will not bring solution but will only escalate the abnormal situation. “Before authorities concerned have investigated into the crime, it is very unfortunate that assumptions have been made and tribal colours have been painted all over the tragic crime,” Zeliang said in a statement this evening. He expressed dismay over the arson and destruction of properties in Kiphire after the gruesome killings came to light resulting in displacement of many families including school children preparing to appear examinations.
The Chief Minister also lamented this afternoon’s law and order situation at Shamator, leading to police firing in which some persons were injured.
Appealing to the people of all communities to maintain peace and harmony, the Chief Minister called for allowing law enforcing agencies to look into the crime so that the culprits can be booked immediately and that the law agencies should not be bogged down in other law and order maintenance at this juncture. The Chief Minister also informed that a delegation of Eastern Naga Legislators’ Union (ENLU) led by senior cabinet minister, P Longon will be visiting Shamator tomorrow to assess the situation.
NMA: The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has strongly condemned the series of violence that has occurred in the Naga society for the last few months.
“We strongly condemn the latest spurts of unwarranted killing of unarmed citizens including women by armed violence. The Shamator area incident and the brutal gunning down of the husband and wife is a shocking reminder of the inhuman psyche of the perpetrators,” a NMA release said today.
The association demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and ensuring of safety and security of citizens in the strife-torn areas of Kiphire and Shamator.
The NMA also appealed for peace and reconciliation and settlement of grievance and differences through justice and the immediate intervention of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
Meanwhile, the organization sought justice for victims in the recent cases of rape and violence in the state, which are yet to see justice. It further raised serious concern over the latest Jalukie incident and demanded arrest of the perpetrators.
The NMA has also urged the state government to bring justice in the case of the brutal killing of Ritika Mehta, reiterating that no stone be left unturned to trace the cycle of conspiracy that led to her unfortunate death. “It is disheartening that till date punitive action has not been initiated against those arrested. Justice delayed is justice denied. We want a Just Peace that ensures security of all citizens and respect of human rights,” the release stated.
Catholic Church: Nagaland Bishop James Thoppil who returned from Kiphire after attending Silver Jubilee celebration of Catholic Women Society of St. Peter’s Church appealed to all communities for peace and dialogue.
The bishop in a statement said that younger generation suffers due to short- sightedness and craftiness of vested interest individuals.
The statement said, “Catholic Church is very much concerned and disturbed by the worsening situation in the towns of Kiphire, Pungro and Shamatore and hoped that good sense prevails among the general public.”
He appealed to all leaders to shun all forms of violence, saying violence has no place in a civilized society especially among Christians.
“We must learn to separate incidents of violence and judge them objectively. Violence is not a lasting solution to any of our problem. Only dialogue and good will among people can bring about lasting solutions to any problem.”
It is very sad, he said, “on the one hand we want to stand united and bring about a lasting solution to our common problem, on the other hand we allow ourselves to be led by emotional charge and petty fragmentation. Non-violence and forgiveness is weapon of the strong while violence in reality is weapon of the weak, as taught by greatest icons of peace – Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. As Martin Luther King said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
Violence anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere, the statement said. The bishop exhorted all the people of Nagaland to remember the words of Martin Luther King, who said, “I have a dream”, “Yes, I have a dream today. There will be serious obstacles to overcome. We have mountains of fear and anger and hatred to remove. There are hilltops of doubt, of despair, of hopelessness to be leveled. The rough places in our hearts that keep us from apologizing, from loving unconditionally and from forgiving must be made plain. But with God’s help and guidance, with the faith that the dark past has taught us and the hope that the present has brought us and armed with the power of love, we shall get there”.
The bishop appealed to Catholic institutions in Kiphire, Pungro and Shamatore to render all possible assistance to mitigate human suffering and also assist in whichever way possible to help the students to write their classes X, XI and XII examination. He also expressed sympathy for the children who are losing their future, for no fault of their own. The bishop prayed especially for the four children who became orphans suddenly, the eldest of whom is the brightest student at Loyola Hr. Sec. School, who is to write class X examination this year.
NTC: The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has expressed great pain on the recent growing ‘senseless and barbaric’ killing and violence leading to inter-tribal clashes that reminds the people of the past head-hunting situation when villages were independent and in isolation without any civilized mechanism to tackle the situation.
The NTC strongly condemned the February 6 killing of the couple near Yayi Bridge under Shamator sub-division and the aftermath incidents in Kiphere town.
“Killings and barbaric actions of the miscreants should not polarize the communities but pin-point the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Tribal hunches should not be allowed to oversight the heinous crime committed and the culprits are allowed to escape under the guise of communal atmosphere. The Government of the day must identify and arrest the culprits at all cost and allow the process of law to clearly and transparently deliver justice to remove misgivings and communal elements from the episode,” stated a press note issued by Media Cell, NTC.
The NTC appealed to all affected parties for tolerance, goodwill and acceptance to allow restoration of peace and harmony in the trouble toned situation.
