EMN
Dimapur, May 4
The ever increasing resentment of the Naga public against the underground organizations and their activities appear to be getting more vociferous. There have been gradual physical expressions of the rage across Nagaland, unlike in the past when the public dared not speak out against whatever the non-state actors do or say.
The simmering estrangement of the public away from the past sympathy for the normally-authoritarian undergrounds has been reflected yet again following Sunday’s ambush of Assam Rifles personnel by NSCN-K cadres in Mon that left 8 soldiers dead.
This time, various organizations in the district, including the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) of Tobu, and the area’s students’ organizations and the district administration of Mon have come out openly defending their right to peace and leave without ‘fear psychosis’.
The students’ community of the area has also made clear that the frequent forays of the underground groups, whose actions often compromise public peace, would not be tolerated.
“In retaliation” to the killings on May 3, the Tobu unit of the Konyak Union has convened a meeting of all community organizations particularly the village councils, a students’ group informed in a note issued to the media on Monday, May 4.
The community leaderships under Mopong circle, Monyakshu circle, and Tobu circle have been asked to attend the meeting which would be conducted on May 6 in Tobu headquarters. The meeting will be followed by a public rally to protest the incident, it was informed.
‘The Tobu Area Students’ Union, KNSK Tobu unit and various unions and societies under Tobu sub-division vehemently condemn the ambush by the NSCN(K) on 4thMay ’15, Sunday afternoon, where seven Assam Rifle jawans and one jawan of the 164 Naga (Territorial Army) battalion were killed on the spot and injuring 9 jawans near Changlangshu village, under Tobu sub-division,” the union stated in a press release issued on Monday.
The students have also expressed resentment that the incident, while disturbing public peace, has especially planted deep fear in the minds of students.
“The incident has created much tension and psycho fear amongst the civilians and thus affecting the peace and tranquility prevailing in the area. It has also perturbed the career of students especially at this time of admissions for the HSLC and HSSLC passed students,” the organization stated.
The students have asked the NSCN (K) to “abstain from such violence within the jurisdiction in the near future”.
“The people of Tobu area will have its own course of actions if normalcy of the people is further affected,” the Tobu students stated.
The organization has also appealed the government to take action and bring the situation to control without causing further instability and insecurity. The union has acknowledged the Changlangshu village Guards and village councils for their intervention and ‘recovering the dead bodies’.
“In retaliation to the incident on 4th May, the Konyak Union Tobu Unit has called a meeting to all Village Councils under Mopong Circle, Monyakshu circle & Tobu circle on 6th May ’15 at Tobu Hq. which will be followed by public rally to condemn the incident,” the press release added.
Administration to meet on security May 15
Following the violence, the Deputy Commissioner of Mon district, Honje Konyak, has convened a security scheduled to be on May 15. The deputy commissioner has convened a security coordination meeting. Village Guards of all the villages particularly of Tobu subdivision have been alerted to assist the security forces and the police in carrying out operations and ‘to ensure that such incident is not reported in any civilian areas’.
It was informed on Monday that the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police had left to visit the spot. The district administration has condemned the ‘barbaric act perpetrated against 23rd AR’ in Changlangshu village.
