Mopong public rally against violence

[caption id="attachment_252352" align="aligncenter" width="565"] People from Mopong Hongkong range during the peace rally on May 31 to condemn the killing of Assam Rifles personnel on May 25.[/caption] Dimapur, June 1 (EMN): Condemning the May 25 incident and upholding the standing resolution of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), declaring the areas in its jurisdiction as peace zone, people from Mopong Hongkong range held a peace rally at Mopong headquarters on May 31. The peace rally was organised following an incident where two Assam Rifles personnel were killed besides injuring four other in an ambushed by armed miscreants on May 25 near Telhangsao hydro-project between Tobu and Ukha village. It may be mentioned that ENPO had, on December 12, 2017, declared the Eastern Nagaland region as a peace zone. Representatives from 11 villages under Mopong Hongkong areas participated in the peace rally which culminated at Mopong EAC headquarters. Short speeches were delivered by representatives from Konyak Union (KU) Mopong Unit, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK), GBs Union, chairmen union of Mopong Hongkong, and Mopong Hongkong Students’ Union (MHSU). Various speakers have expressed resentment over the incident. Condemning the act of violence and disrupting peaceful atmosphere in the area, Mopong unit president of Konyak Union, A Yangkon, stated that the peaceful rally was organised to denounce act of violence against in the area. Addressing the gathering, president of Mopong Hongkong Students’ Union (MHSU), L Kholee, expressed dismay and termed the incident as an act of foolishness. “Any political issues/ struggles cannot be solved/ achieved by use of fire and bombardment in the vicinity of innocent public inhabitant. It can only be solved by negotiation and in the pursuance of peace process. We wondered why our land is targeted for such anti-social activities, said Kholee. He has also expressed doubt over the policy makers because it was not the first time they are witnessing such inhuman act. He stated, “Our land is not meant for firing, bombing and killing one another.” The students’ body has vehemently condemned the act as it was against its declaration as a year of ‘’Social awakening.” The students’ organisation expressed surprise that the incident occurred following its social awakening campaign from April 14 to 18 last with a sense to strengthen the social inter-relationship. While expressing its desired to live in a peaceful co-existence, the students leader remarked, “We want to cultivate paddy field not battlefield and we want to keep our parents peacefully in our own home without any mental disturbance.” MHSU further extended condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured personnel. The rally was attended by around 900 participants mostly schools students and women. During the rally, students displayed placards which read “We want peace not violence,” “We are supposed to be in examination hall,” “No bloodshed in our soil,” “We need development not war,” and “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God.”