DIMAPUR, April 21(Newmai News Network):Taking serious note of the ongoing fracas between the security forces and the NSCN-IM, the Naga People`s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) urged the Naga unuderground groups to exercise restraint in the face of actions by India`s security agencies.
The NPMHR then stated that there appears to be a clash of interest between India`™s political leadership and her military establishment, as far as resolving the Naga political issue is concerned. It stated that over the years, India`™s political leaders, cutting across party affiliations, especially during the last fifteen years, have generally demonstrated the will to resolve the issue through a process of dialogue.
“However, the approach of India`™s military, especially the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary setup to deal with internal strife during the British about 177 years ago, leaves one to question the overall motives of India. India`™s military continues to function with immunity, protected by such laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, and infringe on even the basic rights of civilians,” the Naga rights body alleged.
It then said there are reports of increased surveillance, including house raids, frisking and arrests all over Naga areas by Assam Rifles. This force that operates under the command of India`™s Home Ministry and Army, are supposed to be `aiding` civil authority and not take upon itself the job of `policing`. Even high ranking Nagaland government officials are being subjected to frisking in places such as Kiphire, even as there is increased movement of troops in Naga areas including Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Dimapur and elsewhere.
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) calls upon Indian representatives to press forward for a resolution of the Naga issue. NPMHR believes the gains made in dialogue processes with different Naga national groups are leading to increasing the level of trust among Nagas and Indians.
The one important step towards strengthening this is to rein in `The Friends of the Hill People` and halt its provocative tendencies against Naga national groups.
“NPMHR considers the ongoing campaign against the National Socialist Council of Nagalim as a serious breach of trust between entities that agreed to a ceasefire and agreed to sit across the negotiating table,” the Naga rights body added.
NPMHR also urges the Naga `national groups` to exercise restraint in the face of actions by India`™s security agencies that are apparently tuned to provoke. NPMHR calls for continued vigil over designs that are aimed at denying the Nagas to reconcile, integrate and live together as one nation.
