Dimapur, April 28 (MExN): The Army is bothered by impact and toll the Naga political situation is starting to have on the people and on this, strongly urges the people to stand united against the rampant killings, extortion and blackmailing that has become the order of the day in Nagaland. The Army stated that if the people raise a united voice, the undergrounds will have no choice but to listen to the voice of the people.
An appeal released by the PIB (Defense Wing) observed that the recent happenings in the state stir the mind over the issues afflicting this picturesque land of the Nagas: the factional clashes in Satakha are a case in point which has not only claimed the lives of warring underground cadres but also that of innocent civilians. It mentioned of a gruesome incident on March 28, when three innocent civilians lost their lives to a misfired rocket that the undergrounds had used. Eight other civilians were injured in the rocket explosion. The explosion took place at Hoishe village.
“Factions are involved in fratricidal killings all over the state. Even the innocent civilians are being eliminated based on remotest suspicion of their being member of the rival faction. Extortions have become rampant in the name of waging freedom struggle for national cause” the Army stated adding that for the undergrounds there is no consideration for peace, development and prosperity for the common masses.
The Army also observed that the cadres are starting to realize the grim realities and the futility of the ongoing war where none but the bloods of their own kith and kin are being spilled. “These young cadres are no more ideologically motivated to wage aimless struggle” the army stated. It cited the instance of a 19 year old underground cadre deciding to call it a day from the “national struggle,” and later joining the mainstream on April 7 in Satakha. “Like him, many are waiting to follow suit but are not able to muster enough courage to do so due to fear and retribution which can be meted out to them or to their families if they quit their organizations” the Army stated.
However, the Army affirmed, the truth cannot remain hidden for long. Recruitment by these factions is carried out under coercion or under monetary allurement. The young cadres are from the underprivileged strata of the society and they are “included” in the factional fights, it stated. “These young cadres are not well-equipped to face the rigors of the day to day life in the jungles and situation gets further aggravated during inclement weather” the Army observed.
All these complex issues of killings, extortions and blackmailing need to be deliberated by all the right-thinking and responsible citizens of this beautiful state, the army expressed. “We cannot remain mute spectators to the events happening around us and let these forces spread havoc around us under false illusions. We must stand courageously and act firmly. We should say no to forced recruitment of our young boys and girls as they are the leaders and makers of our future” it appealed. The Army also made a call to the people to refuse free movement of cadres with arms and resist extortions. “If we raise our voice collectively and without any factional bias or tribal boundaries, these factions will have no choice but to listen to the voice of the public because ultimate power lies in the people of Nagaland. This will usher the era of peace, joy and happiness in Nagaland. Let us work towards achieving that” it stated.
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