Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 28
HUNDREDS of concerned Nagas have empathized with the suffering Rengma community in Karbi Anglong, Assam, and have unanimously voiced strongly for Nagas to unite and stand together for common cause irrespective of political boundaries which has divided them from their ancestral land.The urge for Naga unity was reiterated today in a public rally held at City Clock Tower, Dimapur, organized by the ‘Naga Blog’ in respond to the December 27 incident wherein four Rengma Nagas were killed by suspected Karbi People Liberation Tiger (KPLT).
Addressing the public rally, Professor Dr. Jokha Rengma narrated plight of the Rengma Nagas in Assam who were subjected to oppression for over 60 years from their fellow settlers. He said Rengma Nagas were restricted free movement in their own land and banned export of products from Rengma villages. He added that Christmas was spent in fear and tortures and sleepless nights.
President of Dimapur Naga Women Hoho, Hukheli Wotsa, has sympathised with the Rengmas and added that all Nagas are with them. She said Rengma Nagas in Karbi Anglong have their occupational rights over their ancestral land and added that together as Nagas, “We will fight for the land that that belongs to the Nagas.”
Finance secretary of Naga Council Dimapur, Joel Kath, has thanked the Naga Blog for the concern shown towards the suffering Rengma community in Karbi Anglong by organising the rally. Stating that Nagas have been divided for too long, he said a time has come for a change in order to help the Naga future generations to live in peaceful co-existence.
Also addressing the rally, former president of Naga Council, Savi Liegise, has sounded the need for Nagas to unite and stand together in helping the Rengmas in Assam who were subjected to untold suffering particularly the women and children in their own land even to extend of killing innocent lives. He has strongly decried the barbaric acts of the Karbi militants.
AJ Rengma, president of Citizens Rights Protection Council of Karbi Anglong a conglomeration of 28 tribes, has highlighted on the land holding measuring more than 10434 sq. Km under Rengma Hills and 16000 sq. km under Naga Hills. He said it would be shameful for the Nagas and the Rengmas if this land is taken away.
General secretary of Dimapur Naga Women Hoho, Vimeno Savi, said women could no longer stay silent after everything that has happened. She has appealed to all the Naga women present to come forward and help restore the Rengmas by enabling them live in their land peacefully as it should be.
It was learned that burial of the four deceased was performed at Diphu today where they were laid to rest at Diphu Lorulangso allocated by the DC Diphu.
Meanwhile, the rallyists have also submitted a memorandum to the Assam Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, urging the Assam government to take strong remedial measures in the form of deployment of army in strife torn areas; arrest of all the miscreants involved in the carnage; and banning of KPLT militant group by the Assam and Central governments.
The memorandum also urged the Assam government to set up commission to study the root cause of Karbi and Rengma dispute which has taken the form of ethnic strife and to make adequate ex-gratia payment to the slain families and the injured and compensation for loss of properties.
The memorandum has also strongly condemned the alleged calculated attacked on Rengma villages in Karbi Anglong, Assam, leading to the loss of lives – mostly women and children by suspected KPLT militants.
