Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 30
The outpour of public condemnation against the December 27 killing of four Rengma Nagas by suspected Karbi People Liberation Tigers (KPLT), in the form of public rally, continued on Monday in at least three different locations- Dimapur, Kohima and Wokha.
In Dimapur, the rally at Clock Tower junction was called by the Western Rengma Students’ Union Nagaland (WRSUN). Leaders/representatives of frontal organizations like the NTC, NCD, NWHD, DNSU among others, were in attendance to address the rally.
Other leaders who addressed the rally included former Minister Nillo Rengma and the President of Citizens’ Rights Protection Council (CRPC) of Karbi Anglong, AJ Rengma. The CRPC President hinted that the December 30 bandh on NH 36 and NH 39 could later turn into an indefinite one “if there is no response from the government.”
Public resolution at the Dimapur rally
Resolution passed at the public rally held at Dimapur under the aegis of Western Rengma Students’ Union Nagaland – Rengma Students of Assam studying in Assam- on 30th Dec’ 13 to protest the atrocities committed against Rengmas of Assam by KPLT militants.
1. The public totally condemns the atrocities committed upon the indigenous Rengma Nagas of Assam by KPLT (Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers) resulting in dead of innocent women and children and burning of villages and uprooting of entire villagefolks which has resulted in women, children and the aged living in relief camps. More on Page 5
2. This is the second time this year that KPLT militants have forced the Rengmas of Rengma Hills to leave their homesteads for relief camps. These episodes are a conspiracy of the highest order and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is solely responsible for orchestrating the entire unsavoury episode. The government of Assam has totally failed to protect the lives of its citizens too.
3. The indigenous Rengma Nagas of Assam cannot live under the KAAC anymore. The Rengmas demand a protectorate region along the lines of Rengma Autonomous District Council so that Rengmas can live in peace and security along with the 28 non-Karbi tribes of Karbi Anglong.
Correspondent
Kohima, December 30
Rengmas in Nagaland supported by apex tribal bodies in the State – Naga Hoho and Naga Mothers Association, Angami Students’ Union (ASU) and various individuals today held rally extending solidarity to their brethrens in for the atrocities committed by Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers (KPLT) Karbi Anglong, Assam.
A rallyist converging at the Old MLA Hostel Junction here today held placards some of which read – “Let Ministry of Home Affairs intervene”, “Stop atrocities committed against the Rengma Nagas”, “Why is Tarun Gogoi silence”. Demanding proper rehabilitation of the displaced Rengma Nagas, the rallyist also said “We want positive action from Nagaland government”. More on Page 5
Questioning the silence of Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi for the issue, the rallyist also sought the intervention of Union Ministry of Home Affairs to restore normalcy and also positive action from Nagaland government.
The rally was jointly organized by The Naga Blog, a social networking group, in collaboration with Rengma Union Kohima.
The hundreds of rallyist also marched to Raj Bhavan and handed over a letter to the Governor which was addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam.
They have urged the Government of Assam to take strong remedial measures by granting ex-gratia to the slain families and compensation to the injured and for loss of properties.
The rally demanded deployment of army in the strife torn areas, arrest of all the miscreants involved in the carnage, banning of KPLT militant group by the Assam Government and the Government and setting up of Commission by the Assam Government to study the root cause of Karbi and Rengma dispute which has taken the form of Ethnic Strife.
Extending solidarity and pain over the issue, Naga Hoho General Secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu appealed to all to shun violence as it would not bring about any solution. He also said that Karbis and Rengmas will always have to live together as good neighbor. He also apprised the gathering that some of the Naga leaders consisting of Hoho, NMA and NSF have left for Guwahati to apprise the Assam Chief Minister on the plight of Nagas in Karbi Anglong.
He said that the Naga leaders would be demanding that the Chief Minister to provide proper security cover to the Nagas brothers in Assam.
Advisor Naga Mothers’ Association, Sano Vamuzo said that boundary cannot separate the unique identity of a tribe and the atrocities and killings meted upon the Nagas by the Karbi people of Assam is condemnable. She also appealed the Assam Government to take immediate action to free the seized Rengma areas of Karbi Anglong by the KPLT in order to have normal life.
Retired bureaucrat, Khekiye Sema in his speech said that Nagas are in their own land, which they inherited from the ancestors since time immemorial. Rengma Nagas are not in the land of the Karbis so Karbis have no right to impose their own will on the Nagas, he said.
He also said that Rengmas of Assam should take up arms for self-defence and to defend their areas while also appealing them to fight equally for their ethnic rights.
Dr. Nshoya Rengma narrating a brief history of 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.
Noted author Esterine Kire, social worker G. K. Rengma, president of Rengma Mothers’ Association Kelisha Kath, Angami Students’ Union President Zakie Khate Executive Secretary of Council of Rengma Baptist Churches Rev. Tenga Seb and Kevitho Kera of The Naga Blog also spoke on the occasion, which commenced with invocation prayer pronounced by Pastor of Rengma Baptist Church Kohima Dr. K. Tsela.
