Organizations seek the removal of 11 AR from Zeliangrong areas
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 25 2011:
Zeliangrong organizations have asked for the removal of 11th Assam Rifles from Zeliangrong areas for the sake of peace and tranquility failing which the organizations will resort to democratic means of agitation.
Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur and All Zeliangrong Students' Union of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have today petitioned the Prime Minister demanding that "the 11 Assam Rifles should immediately be transferred out of Tamenglong district and Zeliangrong areas so that the tranquility of the district and areas is maintained" .
Through the petition to the Prime Minister the organizations disparaged 11th Assam Rifles under the command of Col.Chokar accusing him of being high handed and attempting to breach peaceful atmosphere on March 13, by arresting George Gonmei, 'joint secretary' of finance section of NSCN/GPRN on wrongful allegation and against the ground rules of the Indo-Naga peace process according to which Naga areas including Tamenglong district comes under the ambit of the ceasefire.
"The sole intention of the Colonel was to eliminate George on fake encounter, however timely intervention from the public had saved his life," stated the petition signed jointly by Tahemang Panmei, vice chairman, Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur, Poupoklung Kamei, convener, Zeliangrong Baudi, Imphal zone and Pamei Tingenlung, president, All Zeliangrong Students' Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
"Is it incumbent for an army officer to concoct a stage encounter and eliminate any member of a revolutionary group who has been in ceasefire with the government of India for his promotion?" questioned the organizations.
That George was arrested on false charges was amply demonstrated when the law court vindicated his right and granted a bail on March 18, it stated, adding that the high handed actions of the 11 AR was thus exposed before the public.
The Zeliangrong organizations further alleged that the 11 AR has filed an FIR with Tamenglong police station against its innocent leaders like Nambonliu, Priscilla, Teresa, Ejumy, Damchuilung, Keibonang and Dingsung with the sole intention of avenging.
They asked if supporting the ongoing peace process between the GOI and the NSCN a criminal act or whether the peace talk is a fake one and that NSCN a terrorists.
"We understand that the GOI has excluded both groups of NSCN from the list of terrorists," the petition said, asking "why is the 11 AR hell-bent in creating problem in peaceful areas like Tamenglong district and other Zeliangrong areas" rather than maintaining peace and normalcy in Naga areas? .
The petition also vented the grievances of the Zeliangrong people concerning a raid in the official residence of SDO Tousem sub-division Dinguanglung Gangmei at Tamenglong headquarters in 2010 by the 11 AR and the snubbing by Col.Chonkar in March 21, 2011, of Zelingrong leaders who had gone to meet the visiting Brigadier upon being invited by the Colonel.
"The general Zeliangrong public opinion is that Indian Army and Para Military Forces have come to our areas to strengthen peace process between the GOI and the NSCN," stated the petition, but "Col Chonkar is trying his best to further his promotion by arresting cadres rank and file of the NSCN because there is no work for the security forces to prove their activities" .
The 11 AR would like to create Naga areas similar to Jammu and Kashmir.
Its activities are anti peaceful environment, it stated further.
"Therefore, we demand that the 11 AR should immediately be transferred out of Tamenglong district and Zeliangrong areas so that the tranquility of the district is maintained," the petition said, adding that in the event of failure to look into the demand Zeliangrong public will be compelled to take up democratic means of agitation.