Memories of Oinam Hill – Operation Bluebird as Nagas remember pain and suffering with hope for justice

Naga Republic News

Vakho | Senapati

On July 9, the 31st anniversary of Onae Reh Dah (The Great Battle of Oinam) was organised at Vakho, New Karong by the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR).

Hosted by the Poumai Naga Union (PNU), July 9, 2018 marks the 31 years of the notorious Operation Bluebird in solidarity with the brave hearts of Oinam Hill village and 30 other neighbouring villages affected by the infamous “Operation Bluebird”.

The event which drew a large crowd was supported by Poumai Tsiidoumai Me and Oinam Hill Village. Pastor David Sha, PBCS prayed for martyrs and victims and welcome address was delivered by Soloni Pao, President, Poumai Naga Union.

Neingulo Krome, Secretary General, NPMHR speaking at the 31st anniversary of Onae Reh Dah (The Great Battle of Oinam) organised at Vakho, New Karong, Senapati (Manipur) on July 9

Thirty one years ago, on 9th July 1987, the 21st Assam Rifles Outpost at Oinam Hill village was attacked and ransacked by the Naga Underground (NSCN) in the year 1987, killing nine soldiers injuring three and snatching away huge arms and ammunition. It was reported that 90 SLR, 22 sten gun, 10 LMG, 60 mortar bomb, 396 hand grenade, over 27,808 round of ammunition were taken away by the NSCN.

Operation Bluebird was an extensive combing operation launched by Indian Government on 11th July, 1987 in reprisal to killing of nine soldiers and seizing of huge arms and ammunition. Major General Kukrety, Inspector General of the Assam Rifles and General Officer in Command of the Manipur section of the Assam Rifles supervised the operation which affected more than 30 villages in and around Oinam Hill Village in the Senapati district of the State of Manipur that lasted for about six months.

NPMHR in its petition to the then Guwahati High Court charged that 125 residential houses were allegedly burnt, 112 like houses were dismantled, 6 schools and 10 churches were dismantled, properties worth of Rs.50,75,000/- were looted from seven villages and villagers belonging to five villages were forced to work. Also 27 persons are alleged to have been killed in the encounter on different dates in Senapati District of Manipur, 3 women were alleged raped and five women were alleged sexually molested and 300 persons are alleged tortured by Assam Rifles. Two women were forced to give birth in public view in the ground.

Reliving operation bluebird, participants enacting a drama of the events of 1987

Neingulo Krome, Secretary General, NPMHR in his commemoration address drew the parallel stories across the Naga areas citing cases like Matikhrii where all men were beheaded and other cases stating that since 1947 to 1987 many unthinkable and horrible things happened and those were not forgotten.

Krome mentioned he was the Coordinator of NPHMR-Kohima sector at that time. Krome said he had drafted a memorandum which was send to then Prime Minister of India.

The NPMHR leader suggested that Naga history could be drawn into two i.e. pre and post Oinam incident because of the well documentation and publication of case documents through COCOI-Coordinating Committee on Oinam issue while mentioning that later after 10 years of Oinam incident, a ceasefire agreement was signed between Government of India and NSCN (IM) to enter in to talk at highest level, in a third country and without any pre-condition.

Since the signing of ceasefire, Nagas are enjoying life so much and becoming corrupted, Krome lamented. He further reasoned that the Nagas are becoming selfish and started suppressing each other. He said the Nagas of present Nagaland must take the responsibility for the present situation which is going down to the lowest situation and must do away with ‘crab mentality.’ He further stated “we (Nagas) must respect each other and prune each other.”

He mentioned that Nagas must live realistically and stop suppressing each other. He affirmed that ‘we (Nagas) are not defeated, we will rise up again,’ while appreciating the Poumai community and Nagas in present Manipur state for bringing the people together through the day’s event.

He further mentioned, “We owe so much to friends and neighbours,” while referring to the solidarity received from others during the time of legal pursuit in regard to Oinam incident. He said, we (Nagas) must live in peace with neighbours be it in Manipur or Myanmar.

In his solidarity message, Gaidon Kamei, President United Naga Council appealed to the people to shed away the divisive force of ‘regionalism and tribalism’ when situation is crucial to find final solution. He appealed Nagas to stand solidly and collectively for solution while seeking prayers for the leaders with strong support.

The UNC President requested NPMHR on behalf of Nagas to pursue the case in the Court. He stated that Nagas could not console the deaths and victims of Operation Bluebird from Oinam and other neighbouring villages, but would pray for physical, moral and spiritual strength.

Joseph Adani, President All Manipur Students’ Union Manipur (ANSAM) stated that Operation Bluebird was the worst ‘military atrocities’ and for it (ANSAM) stood in solidarity with victims of Oinam and other neighbouring villages while mentioning that the courage and commitment of the people of Oinam Hill brought the Army Officers to the Court.

He further stated that the incident was rather a pride that made known to the world that ‘Nagas are struggling people striving to live as Nation” and Nagas will never forget Oinam people’s suffering for its (Nagas’) cause.

President, Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), Asha Wungam in her solidarity message appealed the Nagas to stand together in unity so as to face any situation by dropping individualism but lending productive suggestions and comments.

Solomon Arow, President, Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati appealed to reaffirm the COCOI as UNC, ANSAM, NPMHR are all still active so as pursue the case till final verdict is given. Aram Panmei, NPMHR, said that taking the Oinam Incident case to the court was ‘remarkable courage against the cruelty of Assam Rifles; ‘we feel we have not failed though the case is still in the court.’ She said this is the case of human struggle against structural violence.

Earlier Oinam Hill villagers depicted the ‘operation bluebird’ in drama how the ‘terror’ and ‘horror’ reign upon the innocent civilians in the Assam Rifles while Benjamin Banee, Ex-Minister from Oinam Hill village and K.K.Shimthing, GB, Khongdei Khuman village narrated their testimonies.

Theophilus Rangmathat moderated the event while Siipuni Ng Philo gave closing remarks. Closing prayer was pronounced by P.K.Saul, President, PNCM. The event was attended by host of dignitaries, well-wishers, CSOs and villagers.

According to the note issued by Oinam Hill Village, on 9th July 2006, villagers residing outside observed the 19th Anniversary of Operation Blue Bird 1987 under the theme, ‘Retrospecting the Past,’ at Taphou Onaeme, where many village elders, leaders and even journalists from outside shared their experiences.  After that event the house resolved to give the day an appropriate name as ‘Onae Reh Dah’ (its literal meaning The Great Battle of Oinam).