New Delhi, February 3 (MExN): Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD) today condemned the January 31 killing of two youths in Dimapur by police and “State repression and suppression of dissenting Naga masses,” while in the same breath decried the subsequent violence (not the intention) as equally condemnable “because the democratic and legitimate demands could have been sought…with sustained and peaceful means with tact, diplomacy and democratic forms of protests and demonstrations.”
“Because, violence of the sort we have seen then gives the State the longer end of the stick with even more powers at its disposal, to use brute force to justify or further its agenda or purported ‘Constitutional obligation’ of conducting elections to ULB,” it added.
In a press statement, the Union stated that the episodes following the killing of the two Naga youth and injuring of many and the consequent destruction of State (public) and “private” properties was an unnecessary and avoidable outcome. “The collateral damage in the destruction of properties by what may have been unleashed by a handful of misguided youth was disproportionate to the three demands that were partially met – the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections being declared null and void...”
The NSUD maintained that no situation or circumstances, however grave they might be, warrant taking the lives of innocent and unarmed youth, who were merely expressing their democratic rights and aspirations as rights holders. It is the duty of the democratically elected and conscientious leaders in the Government to proactively and purposefully engage with all stakeholders on issues that have real or perceived ramifications, it stated. “
The manner, haste and pace of the contents and processes leading up to the ULB elections and beyond, smacked of an ulterior motive or hidden agenda, even if there were none,” the students’ union further alleged.
NSUD opined that emerging and long-term interests of Nagas are best served discussing unresolved issues internally without inviting forces and verdicts outside the Naga family, as it is a family matter which requires dialogue and constant adjustment from both the parties. “And this is only plausible if the State and the various Naga peoples’ institutions provide enabling and facilitating spaces to a cross-section of Naga society, including women,” it added.
Meanwhile, the NSUD joined others in demanding immediate justice, fair compensation to the bereaved families of Khriesavizo Metha and Bendangnungsang Longkumer and a free, fair and unbiased inquiry.
