‘We will forgive but never ever forget the 1987 Oinam incident’

Vishü Rita Krocha
Senapati | July 9

Operation Bluebird: July 9, 1987. Thirty-seven years ago, 27 persons were murdered and many more subsequently died as a result of severe torture. Three women were raped and five sexually assaulted while two women were forced to give birth in the open ground in front of jawans; 340 persons were tortured and 125 houses were burned down; 172 houses, 10 churches and 6 schools were dismantled. All paddy fields were destroyed by cattle because villagers were grouped together in concentration camps for days.

Thirty seven years since the Oinam incident of 1987, the people of Oinam and the surrounding villages still waits for justice. 
“Nagas hoped the rule of law will help bring respite to their misery and humanity restored, only to be betrayed when our plea for justice is denied,” remarked Joyson Mazamo, Convenor of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR, South) on the 37th Remembrance Day of “Ona Reh Dah” (Operation Bluebird) held at SM Sha Hall, Taphou Rikhumai, Senapati on Tuesday.

“The Government of India is thinking we are weakened and are falling in line to living the way it wants us to. It is also thinking that the story of our ancestors who chose to make a statement with their blood will be forgotten,” Mazamo said at the event organised by the NPMHR. 

Stating that the judgement of the prolonged litigation in the Indian court that began on October 5, 1987 never came; he stated, “The judges who were chosen to deliver the verdict were posted out when all due process of litigation was completed in 1992.” After an extended gap, it was recalled in 2018 and an order was obtained for an “Enquiry Committee” to be constituted within three months in June 13, 2019 which was never constituted. “The waiting for justice continues,” he put across.

Towards this end, he underscored that the continued imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 that empowers Indian military to use force to the extent of causing death even after the signing of Indo-Naga Peace process is a cause for concern, while alleging that “impunity under this Act has triggered commission of heinous crimes of all kinds” such as rape, torture, burning villages and killing Nagas in hundreds.

Pointing out that many Nagas have been killed prior to the wrath of “Operation Bluebird” and many more even later, he recalled that “the Oting incident in Mon district of Nagaland in the very recent past reminds us all of the perilous circumstances we are in even now.”

“Let it be known to one and all that our oppressors are not winning the fight, the random killing of the innocents do not mirror the character of the strong. The days of tyranny are numbered; we have rejected the spread or its divisive tentacles. We will now sing our song of love, equality and humanity,” he proclaimed.

Maintaining that, “we must also segregate innocent Indian citizens who chose to stand up and say “not in their name” to all the injustices done to us,” he said “there are many who see us as equal fellow human beings and want us to do well with their critical inputs and sacrifices.” 

“We value their magnanimous gesture and help. We would like to continue our walk together for justice now and in the future for liberation of both the oppressor and the oppressed,” he added. 

The Convenor further expressed, “NPMHR salute the martyrs and all those victims who survived” while stating that, “we can forgive those who are responsible for commission of crimes against us and we will but we will never ever forget.”

‘Remember in our hearts and tell our children to tell their children’
Z Neikuo Lhousa, who was the Vice President of Naga Students’ Federation (1987-89) at that point of time, shared his experience. 

Speaking as the Special Invitee at the 37th Remembrance Day of Onae Reh Dah, Lhousa recalled how he travelled to the area unprepared primarily because of the oath he had taken to work and sacrifice for his people. He related how in the process, he was also kept under arrest for 6 nights and 6 days. “At that point of time, I was not trembling because I was blindfolded but today, out of emotion, I am trembling,” he said.

Today, he underscored, “we must live together with our neighbours, we must live together with our relatives, we must also live together with our enemies.” And “if we are to live together, we have to bear one another because we cannot live, eat or work together with our deepest differences,” he stated.

Observing that Nagas have become too small—too selfish, suspicious and too afraid, he underscored that, “we should grow bigger.” According to him, the reason why we have become too comfortable and scared of everything is because we want to be in the comfort zone.

Z. Neikuo Lhousa advocated that, “if we are to reach and to succeed in our goal, we must work together, and have the space to forgive.” “If we cannot join the national movement of our cause, remember in our hearts and tell our children to tell their children and their children to their children,” he added.

During the 37th commemoration in solidarity with the brave hearts of Oinam Hill Village and 30 other neighbouring villages affected by the infamous “Operation Bluebird,” solidarity messages were delivered by Naga Students Federation (NSF), United Naga Council (UNC), Angami Youth Organisation (AYO), Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF), Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ), Sumi Youth Organisation (SYO), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women Union (NWU).

Guru Rewben Mashangva, folk musician and singer from Manipur presented a special number, “No more killing” while Kachuiwon Hungyo also presented “Blowin’ in the wind’. Other highlights of the event included invocation by Rev Fr William Nepuni, Principal, St Xavier College, Maram Khunou, Senapati, and benediction by Salew Kumuo, Pastor, Mao Baptist Church Spt., while Isaac Charenamei chaired the programme.  

Source: https://morungexpress.com/we-will-forgive-but-never-ever-forget-the-1987-oinam-incident