GNF appeals for release of 2 abducted Chop village elders

DIMAPUR — The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has appealed to the concerned “Naga political groups” responsible for abduction of two elders from Chop village under Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh, to promptly release the duo.

The GNF, in a press release on Tuesday, said that at the present critical juncture for the Naga people, the release of the two Chop village leaders would be an exemplary act of compassion, befitting the season of peace and mercy Naga Christians are commemorating at this time of the year.

Pointing out that the recent events at the Indo-Myanmar border have unfolded in a way that has put the fate of the two village leaders in a precarious situation, the forum said their situation strikes at the very core of Naga people’s shared humanity and peoplehood.

“In our view, this matter goes beyond political affiliations; it appeals to our basic human capacity for forethought and mercy toward one another for the sake of the longer implications on the Naga society as a whole.

“Decisive and positive leadership along these lines could help initiate a new path, away from the unending cycle of resentment and discord, onto a culture of compassionate dialogue leading to trust and unity. Compassionate leadership will, we believe, resonate more profoundly with the deep aspirations of our people,” it said.

It may be mentioned that the Chuyo Students’ Union Dimapur (CSUD) had, earlier, called upon the NSCN  Angmai faction to immediately release Chop village headman Chopkhu Gangsa and GB Chijgsan Wangham, who were abducted by the group on November 28.

Condemning the abduction, the CSUD, in a press release, also informed that two were abducted over “alleged for non-payment of levy” and that the outfit had reportedly demanded more than INR 50 lakh to free the duo.

Related story: CSUD appeals for release of Chop village elders