AR removal demand becomes a bone of contention
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 29 2011:
The question of the removal of 11 Assam Rifles from Zeliangrong areas particularly from Tamenglong district has cropped up as a bone of contention among the Zeliangrong organisations.
Reacting strongly to the statement of certain group that the demand for the removal of 11 Assam Rifles from Zeliangrong areas was not a decision of the Zeliangrong people, the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) accused that particular group as stooges of the security forces who had issued 'a misguided statement in connivance with the 11 Assam Rifles'.
The Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) also said that leaders who are behind that particular group are 'black sheep who had volunteered themselves to work as vanguards of the 11 Assam Rifles.' The ZB also said that the Zeliangrong public and history will never forgive those 'black sheep' .
The impasse over this matter was cropped up following the March 13 incident where an NSCN-IM functionary was arrested by the personnel of 11 Assam Rifles in Tamenglong.
In a swift reaction to this incident a mob had snatched an AK-47 rifles from the Assam Rifles in the melee that ensued.
Meanwhile, the Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland today said enough is enough that under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 the Nagas have suffered to the point where words are limited to express the miseries.
The ZB alleged under AFSPA-1958 Naga women have been raped, large number of heinous crimes have been committed against the Nagas and killings of thousands of innocent Nagas in fake encounters by the security forces.
The Zeliangrong Baudi also alleged that as killing and raping of Naga women were not enough, properties worth billions of rupees had been looted in the guise of Operation Blue Star, Operation Blue Bird, Operation Rhino etc.
etc.
"Those experiences are very much vivid in the Naga mind," said the Zeliangrong Baudi.
The ZB then said that it was shameful for the largest democracy like India to have continued adopting AFSPA-1958 inspite of the signatory to several human rights declarations including that of the Geneva Convention.
The Zeliangrong Baudi also wonders as to why New Delhi is reluctant to repeal the AFSPA-1958 though the Jeevan Reddy Commission had recommended to do away with the very Act.
Taking advantage of AFSPA-1958 officers of the Assam Rifles in the like of Col Chokar of 11 Assam Rifles had committed atrocities against the common people on March 13, said the Zeliangrong Baudi.
"To cover up his high handedness Col Chokar has been using some individuals," the ZB further alleged.
Col Chokar had also filed FIR against seven Zeliangrong leaders including women leaders, the ZB added and appealed the people not to buy the 'vested interest policy' of Col Chokar.
Meanwhile, the ZB alerted the Zeliangrong public to remain vigilant against 'divisive elements.
It then said that the ZB and the 'general public' will always extend full cooperation to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.
The ZB also said that the Zeliangrong public will not remain calm as long as the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister recently against the 11 Assam Rifles is not translated into action.