‘Peaceful rally’ against Naga peace talks turns violent

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Jan. 25 (EMN): Karbi organizations have said that two persons have been killed while about 30 sustained injury when police opened fire on participants of a ‘peaceful’ rally ‘regarding the Naga peace accord’ on Thur. The Hills State Demand Council (HSDC)  and the Karbi Students Association (KSA)  organised a press conference at the KSA’s office premises on Jan.25, Thur.

The HSDC’s president, Dr. Mongve Rongpi said that a peaceful rally was held on Thur. at the Maibong Railway station ‘regarding the Naga Peace Accord.’ However, it was informed that the situation deteriorated when more than 30 protesters were injured, including two women, while two men lost their lives during the rally. alleged that the police fired bullets.

The HSDC leader said: ‘In order to disperse the mob the police could have used tear gas,  pellets, water canon but instead of these we have seen live bullet was being fired to disperse the mob, after all they cannot shoot at the vital part like chest, head part but the police did that’.

The organisation has demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter, Rongpi said,  ‘We are not against the Naga peace accord but all the matter should be solved within its region like whatever the matter of its own. For many years Naga brothers were also fighting for their own rights in order to achieve their demands whereas brothers of Dimasa and Karbi are also fighting for their rights since the past three decades in order to achieve their demand; so the matter should be solve within their own region and it should not be disturbed others too.’

The IANS also reported that the incident took place at Maibong when a group of protesters blocked the railway station and intercepted the Guwahati-bound Silchar-Guwahati passenger train.

The agitators had called a 12-hour “Dima Hasao Bandh” on in protest against the reported move of the Central government to set up satellite council for Nagas in the district as part of the peace talks between New Delhi and the NSCN (IM).