Candlelight services culminate 7-day mourning

DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN):

 Non-cooperation with Indian armed forces till demands are met

 Customary landowners asked to denounce all agreements for setting up army base camps

 To make Tiru police station operational within five days

 State govt asked to take responsibility of 2 survivors

The seven-day mourning of the Konyaks culminated on Monday with candlelight services being held across Mon district under the banner of the Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB) in memory of the 14 innocent civilians massacred on December 4 and 5 by armed forces personnel

This was in accordance with the resolution adopted during a meeting of Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs)– Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khung (KNSK)– on Sunday.

In a joint statement, S Howing Konyak, Ponglem Konyak and T Noklem Konyak, presidents of KU, KNSK and KSU respectively, announced that Konyaks would continue their fight for justice.

In accordance to their four-point charter of demand, they said the agitation would continue in various forms and on various dates and time till justice was served. Accordingly, the first phase of agitation against the “tyranny” of Indian armed force would begin on December 16 with a public rally all over Mon district.

They said black flags would be hoisted in every vehicle, black badges worn by all and flags would fly at half-mast in offices as a sign of resentment and till justice was delivered.

Owing to gravity of the situation, the Konyak CSOs urged citizens to refrain from any kind of merry-making activities like night bazaars, open picnic and other entertainment activities in Mon district. They appealed to all citizens to adhere to the regulation. However, pre-scheduled programmes like weddings, church events, etc, have been exempted.

The CSOs further said they would not withdraw their “Non-cooperation” with the Indian armed forces till their demands were met and called for strict adherence to their decision.

Further, in pursuance to their “Non-cooperation” declared against the Indian armed forces, they said the total restriction on military convoys and patrolling in Konyak soil would continue.

While no military recruitment rally would be allowed in Mon district, they decreed that no Konyak youth should participate in any such rally.

They directed all customary land owners to immediately denounce the past land agreements for setting up army base camps (operating points) within their jurisdiction (Naginimora, Tizit, Lampong Sheanghah, Wakching Town, Mon Town, Longshen Town, Sheanghah Wamsa, Longwa, Chenmoho, Chenloishu, Wangti, Aboi, Angjangyang, Tobu and Monyakshu).

Calling for cutting off all relations with the Indian military, the CSOs directed that no Konyak village council/student should accept any form of developmental packages/sops from the forces and must immediately denounce any form of assured packages/sops from the forces, if there were any.

The CSOs also demanded that the State government should make Tiru police station operational within five days as the tragic incident that unfolded in Tiru valley was due to non-functional of the proposed police station.

They further demanded that the State government must take complete responsibility of the two surviving victims of December 4 incident who are currently undergoing treatment at Dibrugarh Medical College. They insisted that the duo’s medical treatment, safety and recovery must be taken up by the government.

The CSOs directed Oting Village Council to renounce the “Commendable Certificates” given by Government of India in 1958 for helping the government in maintaining peace. They regretted that the December 4 incident, which was totally uncalled for, had shattered the trust that was built over decades, adding that the intention of the Indian armed forces was well known. They directed the council “to denounce the mockery publicly”.

KUD marks culmination of 7-day mourning in Dimapur

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 13 (NPN): Konyak Union Dimapur (KUD) marked culmination of the seven-day mourning period under the aegis of Konyak Union to show solidarity with the victims of Oting incident with a programme at Konyak community centre here.

Delivering the introductory speech, KUD president A Mosa said it was the right time for Nagas to unite and fight against the perpetrators till justice was served. He acknowledged the solidarity and respect shown by all Nagas during this time of grief, stating that the Konyaks would never forget the solidarity shown towards them.

Speaking on the occasion, Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) president Bendangnuken said even though the mourning period concluded, the fight for justice would go on till it was served, adding that the real fight for justice has started. Mentioning that Nagas were silent not because it was afraid, but observing a mourning period, he said the fight for justice would only grow stronger.

He maintained that unless the AFSPA was withdrawn, justice would not be done, and demanded that the Central government must withdraw the Act and book all criminals and punish them as per the law.

Stating the future of Nagas were defined by “apprehension” and “anticipation”, he said he hoped to see young Nagas anticipate good things, and not live in fear or apprehensions.

He urged all Nagas to do away with tribalism and remain united. “Unity is not a new word for Nagas. All we need is to polish the word unity,” he stressed and appealed the gathering to inculcate the good behaviours of “our” forefathers.

In his speech, Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur (ENPUD) social & cultural secretary Yanlumong appreciated all Nagas for standing with them, “not only through words but through action”, and acknowledged the State government for cancelling the Hornbill Festival and holding a cabinet meeting to repeal AFSPA.

He asserted that the Union would fight till the draconian AFSPA was withdrawn and appealed to all tribal hohos and civil society organisations (CSOs) to stand with ENPUD till justice was served.

Speaking on the occasion, Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation Dimapur (ENWOD) president Langmai stressed that this was the right time for Nagas to unite and urged all to remain united and prepared for any untoward incident that could confront them in the future.

Regarding AFSPA, she maintained that Nagas were living in constant fear and anger due to the draconian law, asserting that it gave the armed forces the privilege to kill anyone on mere suspicion.

In his brief speech, convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Rev. Dr. Wati Aier said that the seven days of mourning may be over but it was just the beginning of the fight for justice.

He said that the world was now watching us and called upon the people to stand united.

FNR member, Dr Akum Longchari expressed deep pain over the incident, adding that the incident showed total disregard to people’s right to live and personnel liberty. He said the incident was a reminder that people’s lives were not secure.

He stressed that Oting villagers must share their stories with the world. He asked the gathering, “Can Oting be the light in the hills for the people? Can Konyaks be the light in the hill for the people? Can Nagas be the light in the hill for the whole world?”

Meanwhile, the programme was chaired by KUD general secretary M Jeange Yenlem and invocation was offered by KBBD deacon T Henmoi.

A special number was presented by Chingyong, while Purana Bazar Konyak Fellowship pastor Temlei offered benediction.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/candlelight-services-culminate-7-day-mourning/246576.html