NSF condemns May 24 incident
Dimapur, May 29 (MExN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today vehemently condemned the May 24 incident where Naga passengers were assaulted and several vehicles damaged and expressed resentment “over the negligence of Border belt areas by Nagaland government.” This negligence, the NSF stated, has provided the Assam government to take “maximum advantage” at the cost of the “helpless Nagas in the border areas for decades.”
NSF President Tongpang Ozukum and Vice President Joseph Ngouri, while expressing discontentment over the recent incident, questioned the “sincerity and commitment” of both Assam and Nagaland governments over the declaration of the Joint Statement on the Boundary issues after the joint meeting on January 2, 1979 at Kohima. In a statement the NSF said, “It was agreed upon by the then Chief Ministers of both States to maintain status-quo and observe the spirit of Interim Agreement of 1972 all along the border in order to maintain peace and harmony in the border areas.”
NSF expressed surprise that a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Mariani, Rupjyoti Kurmi spearheaded the attack on innocent Naga passengers for his selfish political interest. The Federation demanded stern action against the irresponsible MLA “since his barbaric action is a clear violation of the 1972 Interim Agreement signed between the two States.”
“How many innocent lives do Nagas have to offer? How many brutal incidents does Nagas need to realize the sinister design of the Assam government?” the NSF questioned. The Federation said that in the process of protecting our ancestral land, Nagas have sacrificed many lives, Nagas have shed enough blood, therefore time has come for Nagas to rise up to the occasion and come out with certain concrete measures with the collective of effort of the government and the general public. “Let us be reminded once and for all that Border issue is not a problem for people living in that area alone, but it is a common problem for all. Therefore of all section should understand and extent unflinching support and solidarity to our brother and sisters living in the border areas,” it stated in the note.
NSF urged a ‘competent authority’ to nab the culprit and award exemplary punishment, for adequate compensation for the injured as well as for property damaged.
