‘Release all Naga political prisoners’

NNN IMPHAL, AUGUST 19 As part of the Naga Women Union (NWU)campaign for the release of Ningkhan Anthony Shimray and all the ‘Naga political prisoners’ a public assembly was held on Wednesday in the district headquarters of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong. A memorandum signed by women based organisations representing 16 Naga tribes in Manipur was also submitted to the Prime Minister of India for the release of all the ‘Naga political prisoners’ including Ningkhan Anthony Shimray. St. Ruth (President, Anal Sinnu Ruwl), Y. Tabitha Chottu, (President, Chothe Sanulim), B. Shanti (President, Inpui Naga Women), R. Themsosin (Kharam Women’s Union), S.N. Bongnung (President, Lamkang Snu Lop), Lolia Lucy (President, Mao Naga Women Welfare Association), Kanga Regina (President, Maram Women’s Union), M. Toshelpha (President, Maring Napuiya Yinglam), Lucy Ngiiriiti (President, Monsang Sanuw Ruh), W. Phanitin Moyon (Secretary, Moyon Sanuw Ruwrkheh), S K Tabitha (President, Poumai Noutumai Me), Ringluiwon (President, Tangkhul Shanao Long), K. Choirita (President, Tarao Chotnu Yurei), Y. Julie (President, Thangal Sanui Jonlong) and Lungniliu (President, Zeliangrong Women Union). The memorandum stated that the Naga women ‘representing the voices and aspirations of mothers, daughters and sisters of 16 tribes’ wrote this missive “to impress upon you and your good office for the immediate release of all the Naga political prisoners to herald the spirit of peace and understanding between India and the Naga people.” “We wish to state the case of Shimray, the Head of the Foreign Affairs of NSCN-IM, who is presently lodged in Tihar Jail and has been undergoing trial in Patiala Court from 2010. As you are aware he was picked from Kathmandu International Airport on 27 September, 2010 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) when he was en route to New Delhi to participate in the Indo-Naga peace talk between the GOI and NSCN-IM which was scheduled to be held on 29 September, 2010 at New Delhi,” it stated. The memorandum then asserted that Ningkhan Anthony Shimray is a man committed to peace and has actively participated in the Indo-Naga peace talk. He was keen to resolve the Indo-Naga conflict and had attended at least 7 rounds of peace-talk s with the Government of India in New Delhi and abroad demonstrating his commitment to peace and dialogue, it added. “With the inking of a new relationship with the Naga people we appeal that Ningkhan Anthony Shimray and every Naga political prisoner be immediately released to give strength and meaning to the peace framework,” the memorandum also said. “We reiterate that we have trust in your leadership and that you will immediately intervene and take positive action and release every Naga political prisoners,” it further said. The memorandum then expressed its deep appreciation “for your political wisdom and your leadership” in bringing the ‘peace framework’ of the August 3 which “we believe will usher our long desire for peace in our region.”