Newmai News Network
Mao Gate | May 6
Leaders from different Naga organisations as well as tribes and villages today “reaffirmed to stand firm for the Naga cause.”
The leaders resolved the same during the ‘Seventh Martyrdom’ anniversary of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshou held at the Martyrs’ Park in Mao Gate under Senapati district on May 6.
It included the members of United Naga Council (UNC), Council of Naga Affairs Myanmar (CNAM), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union (NWU), tribe presidents from the south, village chiefs from Mao Gate area, former UNC executives and many other Naga frontal organizations.
A large number of Naga people conglomerated at the site to pay homage to the two student ‘martyrs’ of May 6, 2010 Mao Gate incident.
They were killed during a mammoth protest rally against the Manipur Government’s decision to prevent NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah from visiting Somdal, his ancestral village in Ukhrul district. Several protesters were also hurt in the police action.
Many Naga leaders said that they also came to reaffirm to stand firm for the Naga cause besides paying homage to the two ‘martyrs’.
Today’s event was organized by Mao Council under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC).
Speaker of NSF, Joshua Thong while addressing the gathering at the Martyrs’ Park said that “if needed we are ready to give more lives”.
The NSF leader also said that if “we get the opportunity we will also like to join you soon,” while referring to the two “martyrs” and also expressed appreciation to the families of the two “martyrs” and the “community” for giving their “brave sons”.
UNC General Secretary S Milan, while delivering his speech said that, “We Nagas have our political position so no one can play with the Naga sentiment”. The UNC leader also said that the “lands which are left to us by our forefathers” should be protected by the Nagas at any cost.
The UNC General Secretary then stated that the UNC had lifted the 139-day economic blockade as the “our grievances that led to the imposition of economic blockade were recognised as non-adherence to the four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and the Government of India’ assurance on the matter”.
The Manipur government must redress the issue at the earliest, he added.
Athong Makury, President of the Council of Naga Affairs Myanmar (CNAM) while addressing the people said that the Nagas in Myanmar were also hurt by the May 6, 2010 incident.
Advisor of UNC, L Adani said, “The day (May 6, 2010) witnessed the trampling of our rights as a people. “But as always we have refused to be cowed down by the violent suppression,” he maintained.
The former President of UNC further stated that, while the Nagas honour the martyrs and other victims of police atrocities, their unwavering commitment to the political aspiration of the entire Naga people “for which thousands have made the ultimate sacrifice through the years” are also manifested in such observance.
Also addresing the gathering, ANSAM President Seth Sathshang said that the sacrifice of the two students was an assertion for the removal of the unjust system. “The battle will continue. Their supreme sacrifice will continue to inspire us,” the ANSAM leader added.
