DIMAPUR, NOV 30 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed deep sadness and shock over the waylaying incident wherein the Vice-President Naga Hoho, Keviletuo Kiewhuo was physically assaulted, tortured and threatened ‘elimination’ besides robbing him of his personal belongings on the night of November 28 in the middle of the capital city, Kohima, by two unidentified mercenary elements.
“NPMHR considers this grievous attempt on the life of Mr. Keviletuo as a very serious case of intimidation towards the conscious, committed and proactive leadership of the public by negative forces working against the interests of the Naga people in general”, stated a press communiqué issued by Nepuni Piku Secretary General, NPMHR and Dr. Lanu Sashi Longkumer, Convenor, Nagaland sector.
Describing Keviletuo as a bold, committed social worker and a senior human rights activist who has been involved in many humanitarian, peace and human rights issues, NPMHR pointed out that Keviletuo had earlier suffered untold torture in the hands of the Indian Army for daring to stand up for what is right on behalf of the suffering people even during the ‘Operation Bluebird’ after the Oinam incident in 1986 and has continued to contribute selflessly towards sustainable peace in the Naga homeland till date. The attack on a the senior Naga Hoho official is certainly unprecedented and sends an extremely wrong signal to the world at large, NPMHR stated.
NPMHR called upon the Naga public to rise up to condemn such act which is directly an attack on Naga integrity, sending a wave of hopelessness and fear. “An institution like the Naga Hoho, which has evolved today as the apex and most representative Naga civil society platform should be upheld by all in order to let dignity, justice and peace prevail in our homeland. NPMHR appeals to all actors of the Naga society/politics to seriously reflect on this violent incident which has the danger of enveloping our society in a quagmire of anti-peace and anti- democratic practices”.
NPMHR also shared its unwavering solidarity with the physically and emotionally bruised Mr. Keviletuo, the Vice President Naga Hoho and wished him a speedy recovery from this shocking attack on his physical integrity and life. NPMHR also demanded the Government of Nagaland to immediately investigate and book the criminal elements according to the due process of law.
NPMHR further appealed to the Government of India to seriously and sincerely take the peace process forward without delay. Any such further attack on the peace loving public especially against the leadership of the Naga civil society movement, the Government of India will be held wholly responsible, it stated.
