Withdrew non-cooperation, not demand for justice —Konyak Union

Dimapur, May 1 (EMN): Konyak Union on Sunday stated that withdrawal of non-cooperation to Indian military forces did not mean withdrawal of its demand for justice.

The Union said it would not be ‘compromised’ in pursuit of justice for the victims of the Mon incident of Dec. 4 and 5, 2021, despite the temporary withdrawal of non-cooperation served towards the Indian armed forces.

It stated that the proposal for temporary withdrawal of non-cooperation was “KU’s endorsement to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO)”, but the Konyak civil societies would not be ‘compromised with the justice demanded’ and the ‘Konyak CSOs would steadfastly adhere to its decision to pursue it until justice is met.’

“It is deeply felt that the comprehensive notion of withdrawal of non-cooperation is to restrain any development of adverse circumstances in law and order situation in the region while placing trust and confidence upon the peoples’ mandate authority and the peoples’ demand should not go futile,” read the statement.

The Union reminded its demands put forward to the President of India, which were to identify all personnel of the 21 Indian paratroopers involved in the killing of 14 innocent civilians and punished under applicable civil court; action taken to be put into public domain and complete removal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the northeastern states of India.

It further questioned why action had not been initiated since the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on the incidents had already been submitted.

The Union said that action should be fast tracked as demanded by the people and as assured by AR Maj.Gen. Vikas Lakhera, SM, IGAR North on Feb.7, 2022 at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Mon, it said.

“The partially lifting of AFSPA in Nagaland is not delivering justice as demanded by the Konyak CSOs and if there is delay in delivering justice as demanded while placing trust upon the concerned authority, the Konyak Civil society spearheaded by Konyak Union would break the trust and confidence and shall opt to resume the non-cooperation movement towards the Indian military forces that the onus will be held by the government,” it added.