MON, JAN 14 (MExN): The dead bodies of the 2 slain boys, Pongkei and Phope Konyak reached Mon this morning at 9.30 am. A large gathering consisting of MLAs Chingwang Konyak, Shahpoh, Deputy Commissioner, Mon, Konyak Union, Konyak Students Union, KNSK (Women’s Wing), Churches and all public in common were present to witness the public outpouring against the killing by the NSCN (IM). The public function was chaired by the Konyak Union. A list of representatives spoke on the occasion, and through reliable sources and family, it was confirmed that the 2 boys were working as apprentices at a garage in Kohima and had no involvement in any factional activities whatsoever.
After the function, the bodies of the deceased were taken to their native village, Chingphoi Chingnyu for the funeral. Here, the President, Konyak Union in his address said that Konyaks had never opposed the NSCN (IM) and charged that “Th. Muivah came to Dimapur, Nagaland and killed these 2 boys”. Pointing out that the Tangkhul community joined the Naga movement late with very few in numbers in the beginning, but now “they are the boss”. “Tangkhuls have started killing the Konyaks (leaders, intellectuals, public leaders etc), those who opposed them”, the KU President alleged and mentioned that merely condemning on paper was not enough. Reading out all the innocent public (names of those killed by NSCN (IM) amounting to more than 14), the KU President also added that the Chief Angh of Japoka Village was made to dig his own grave and was about to be shot dead, but was subsequently released. He said that the Konyaks “should fight back”.
President, Konyak Union Unit Kohima also spoke on the occasion. He confirmed that he himself brought these 2 boys to Kohima, as they were his relatives, and kept (got them the job) them as apprentice mechanics at a garage in Kohima. He said that the 2 boys had no involvement with any faction adding that complete proof and details were available. He said that the NSCN (IM) claims of the boys as ‘Sergeant Major’ and ‘soldier’ is completely false. Reacting to the statement, he said that anyone can write anything in the newspapers, “but their lies will not justify the pain that the Konyaks feel at this moment”.
The KNSK, an umbrella association of the Konyak mothers also grieved for their dead sons and expressed their motherly sorrows. They slammed the men-folk for being ‘too selfish, for being cowards’, saying that the men think of themselves only, and are not willing to make sacrifices. They further said that the men-folk must ensure that such acts are not repeated again and urged them to unite and fight back, and not stay ‘light’ so that they don’t lose any more sons in the future.
Chingwang Konyak, MLA termed the latest incident as “further division of the Nagas” while expressing pain over the killings. The senior Congress MLA and former MP said that instead of uniting, Nagas were going more and more apart. He said that the best example of Nagas being divided is the division in the Naga civil society groups and emphasized on the need for unity among the Nagas to have one single Naga organization. Pointing out that unity must come first before any solution, he regretted that killing among the Nagas will lead to further division.
Meanwhile the ENSF in a press note strongly condemned the brutal murder of the 2 boys by the NSCN (IM) at a time when the whole Nagas are striving for unity. “This killing of innocent brothers will further lead to more division among us”, stated YP Chillio President and Hawang Wangsha Assembly Speaker, ENSF. The ENSF questioned the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) “that in such a respectable organization fighting for unity and sovereignty of our people, they should have such stupid and ignorant cadres who doesn’t know who is who, even within his own family (Naga)”. The ENSF requested the concerned authority of the NSCN (IM) to book the guilty and deal with them immediately, as per the demand of the Konyak Union.
The ENSF also requested the Government of Nagaland to take up this matter seriously. It conveyed its condolence to the bereaved families and assured that it would stand with the KU and ENPO in bringing the guilty to justice.
