Nagas commemorate the Great Battle of Oinam

Kathikho Karong | 9^th July, 2021

Naga leaders and citizens commemorated 34^th OnaeReh Dah (Great Battle of Oinam), the infamous Operation Bluebird, Oinam incident 1987 at PK Shedu Resort, Avafii, Kathikho Karong. The gathering paid tribute and homage to the Naga civilians who were killed, tortured, raped and molested and forced to hard labour during the Operation Bluebird, 1987. The gathering strictly followed Covid-19 SOPs while commemorating the event.

The commemoration was organised by Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). Poumai Naga Union hosted the programme along with Poumai Naotumai Me (PNM), Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM), Oinam Hill Village Authority and Oinam Hill Youth & Students Organisation(OHYSO).

The gathering was moderated by L.M.Tabitha, former President, Naga Women Union (NWU).Rev.P.James, Executive Secretary, Poumai Naga Baptist Association (PNBA) pronounced opening prayer and closing prayer was said by Dahrii Dominic, Catechist, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Vakho. D.Veiloune and Jenyma Kho enthralled the gathering with beautiful songs befitting to the historic event.

Dr. Rosemary Dziivichu, Co-Convener, Global Naga Forum (GNF) & Advisor, Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) in her speech appealed the Naga leaders gathered in the event to pursue justice for the victims of Oinam Incident with commitment, support and solidarity. She asserted that let the commemoration be a gathering of victory and not of defeat. She stated that the case of Oinam incident poses serious legal questions to Government of Manipur and Government of India. She said, it is also a great challenge for the Nagas to put their minds and hearts together as family to bring home the justice.

She further mentioned that if people forget their history, it is difficult to tell their story to the younger generation. She expressed that the missing of documents from the court is a great weakness of the court. She conveyed the support of Global Naga Forum(GNF) for Oinam case. She also conveyed the appeal from GNF that Nagas must continue to think beyond borders, consider each other as one, keep building fraternity, bonding amongst the Nagas and tell the Nagas’ story to the world. She paid her tribute to the fallen and living victims of Operation Bluebird.

Atokiho Sumi, Vice-President, Naga Students Federation (NSF) in his speech expressed that “as young Nagas we long for future without conflict and war.” He stated that this historic event lies dear to the hearts of every Nagas. He cited that Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights is a time tested organisation and have to continue as the guardian of human rights of the Nagas. He expressed that as Naga leaders, “we need to seek divine intervention and wisdom to unite Nagas.” He said, “on this historic event, let’s take a pledge and proclaim that we are free from any control, from an external forces that threaten our existence.”

Solidarity Messages were delivered by Kho John, President, United Naga Council (UNC), Asha Wungnam, President, Naga Women’s Union, Wanglar Thiirtung, President, All Naga Manipur Students Association Manipur and Solomon Arow, President Naga Peoples Organisation.

Joyson Mazamo, Convener, NPMHR (South) in his keynote address urged the Government of India to come clean by; “dispensing justice for all victims of Operation Bluebird, Repealing Armed Force special powers Act, Scrapping the Protected Area Permit Regime, Restoring peace, a peace that we want and not that is prescribed or imposed and dignity in Nagas Land.” He also paid tribute to murdered victims of “Operation Bluebird”, along with the living victims who have been traumatised mentally and physically.

It may be recalled that on the fateful 9^th July 1987 suspected NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) attacked the Assam Rifles outpost at Oinam Hill Village at around 12.30) and carried way a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Nine soldiers were killed in the attack and three were seriously injured. It was reported that 90 SLR, 22 stengun, 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 filed writ petition on October 1987 to the Guahati High Court, charged that the security forces had committed the following cognizable offences: murder, manslaughter, infliction of grievous injuries, rape and sexual harassment; arson, looting and theft; desecration of Church; wanton destruction of public and private properties; including school buildings; illegal evictions; illegal raids, seizures; illegal detentions and arrests and forced labour.

Since 1988, the people of Oinam Hill (Onaeme) had been observing 9^th July as a ‘Day of Prayer’ abstaining from work and gradually adopted the name ‘OnaeReh Dah-(The Great Battle of Oinam)” in the year 2006 and commemorated 25^thyear in 2012 at Oinam Hill Village.

Villagers of Oinam Hill commemorated 34^thOnaeReh Dah with tree plantation

Oinam Hill, 9^th July, 2021: The village leaders of Oinam Hill comprising of Village Chiefs, Village Authorities, Oinam Hill Youth and Students Organisation (OHYSO) Executives, Women Society Executives, local Pastor and Catechist commemorated the 34^thOnaeReh Dah (Great Battle of Oinam), the infamous Operation Bluebird, Oinam incident 1987. Tree plantation marked the commemoration of the historic event.

Kh.Raoping, Village Chief and Th.Ngulane, village leader narrated the stories of OnaeReh Dah (Great Battle of Oinam), the infamous Operation Bluebird through PA system. Later on, the leaders paid floral tribute to the martyrs of OnaeReh Dah (Great Battle of Oinam) with prayer.