Naga civil bodies appeal GoI to release Naga pol prisoners

Dimapur, August 17: In the wake of release of NSCN-IM leader Anthony Shimray on bail from Tihar Central Jail Delhi, the Naga mass based organizations today urged the government of India to release all other Naga political prisoners irrespective of groups/factions without further delay.
Naga Hoho president P.Chuba Ozukum, NSF president Subenthung Kithan and Naga Mothers Association president Abeiu Mero in a joint statement said, “Realising the validity of the issue, the government of India has atlast released Anthony Shimray on bail, who is one of the Indo-Naga peace negotiating members on August 2 and he was reunited with the family on August 3 after nearly six years.” Lauding the GoI for demonstrating sincerity and seriousness of the peace process, the organizations reiterated their appeals for release of all other Naga political prisoners.
The statement maintained that Naga mass based organizations have been appealing to the government of India time and again to release all Naga political prisoners ever since the signing of cease-fire agreement with different Naga political groups. The Naga bodies however expressed distress that many of the Naga national workers who were booked under various ‘draconian’ laws are yet to obtain justice even during the cease-fire period.