Dimapur | March 25 : Zeliangrongs today questioned the Assam Rifles if they had “no work” because of ceasefires and were using “encounters” to vie for promotions. “Is it incumbent for an army officer to concoct a stage encounter and eliminate any member of a revolutionary group who has been in ceasefire with the government of India for his promotion?” questioned Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur and All Zeliangrong Students’ Union of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in a petition to the Prime Minister of India. They demanded that “the 11 Assam Rifles should immediately be transferred out of Tamenglong (renamed Inriangluang) district and Zeliangrong areas so that the tranquility of the district and areas is maintained.”
Question for army authorities—Are “encounters” a means for promotions?
Through the petition to Dr. Manmohan Singh the organizations disparaged 11th Assam Rifles under the command of Col. Chokar accusing him of being high handed and attempting to breach peaceful atmosphere on March 13, by arresting George Gonmei, ‘joint secretary’ of finance section of NSCN/GPRN on wrongful allegation and against the ground rules of the Indo-Naga peace process according to which Naga areas including Tamenglong district comes under the ambit of the ceasefire.
“The sole intention of the Colonel was to eliminate George on fake encounter, however timely intervention from the public had saved his life,” stated the petition signed jointly by Tahemang Panmei, vice chairman, Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur, Poupoklung Kamei, convener, Zeliangrong Baudi, Imphal zone and Pamei Tingenlung, president, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
That George was arrested on false charges was amply demonstrated when the law court vindicated his right and granted a bail on March 18, it stated, adding that the high handed actions of the 11 AR was thus exposed before the public.
The Zeliangrong organizations alleged the Assam Rifles having a “spirit of vengeance” because the para-military force has filed an FIR with Tamenglong police station against civil society leaders like Mrs. Nambonliu, Mrs. Priscilla, Mrs. Teresa, Ejumy, Damchuilung, Keibonang and Dingsung.
Is “supporting the ongoing peace process between the GOI and the NSCN” a criminal act, questioned the Naga leaders. They questioned whether India considered both groups of the NSCNs as “terrorists”? They wondered if the peace talks are then “fake”.“Why is the 11 AR hell-bent in creating problem in peaceful areas like Tamenglong district and other Zeliangrong areas” when “the GOI has excluded both groups of NSCN from the list of terrorists,” the petition said.
Recalling earlier incidents involving the said unit of the Assam Rifles, the petition spoke of a raid on the official residence of SDO Tousem sub-division Dinguanglung Gangmei at Tamenglong headquarters in 2010. Col. Chonkar of the Assam Rifles had allegedly humiliated a group of Zeliangrong leaders after the military officer himself invited them to meet a Brigadier.
When the Naga leaders came into the office of the Brigadier they were told that the military man cannot give an audience “because he is the boss there.” “He (Col. Chonkar) even proclaimed that he (Brigadier) was all in all and he can even eliminate anybody anytime”.
The Zeliangrong organisations alleged that the Assam Rifles were using these provocations and incidences to influence their own “promotions” because “there is no work for the (Indian) security forces” because of ceasefires. The 11 AR would like to create Naga areas similar to Jammu and Kashmir. Its activities are anti to peaceful environment, it stated further.
“Therefore, we demand that the 11 AR should immediately be transferred out of Tamenglong district and Zeliangrong areas so that the tranquility of the district is maintained,” the petition said, adding that in the event of failure to look into the demand Zeliangrong public will be compelled to take up democratic means of agitation.
(With inputs from Newmai News Network)
Question for army authorities—Are “encounters” a means for promotions?
Through the petition to Dr. Manmohan Singh the organizations disparaged 11th Assam Rifles under the command of Col. Chokar accusing him of being high handed and attempting to breach peaceful atmosphere on March 13, by arresting George Gonmei, ‘joint secretary’ of finance section of NSCN/GPRN on wrongful allegation and against the ground rules of the Indo-Naga peace process according to which Naga areas including Tamenglong district comes under the ambit of the ceasefire.
“The sole intention of the Colonel was to eliminate George on fake encounter, however timely intervention from the public had saved his life,” stated the petition signed jointly by Tahemang Panmei, vice chairman, Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur, Poupoklung Kamei, convener, Zeliangrong Baudi, Imphal zone and Pamei Tingenlung, president, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
That George was arrested on false charges was amply demonstrated when the law court vindicated his right and granted a bail on March 18, it stated, adding that the high handed actions of the 11 AR was thus exposed before the public.
The Zeliangrong organizations alleged the Assam Rifles having a “spirit of vengeance” because the para-military force has filed an FIR with Tamenglong police station against civil society leaders like Mrs. Nambonliu, Mrs. Priscilla, Mrs. Teresa, Ejumy, Damchuilung, Keibonang and Dingsung.
Is “supporting the ongoing peace process between the GOI and the NSCN” a criminal act, questioned the Naga leaders. They questioned whether India considered both groups of the NSCNs as “terrorists”? They wondered if the peace talks are then “fake”.“Why is the 11 AR hell-bent in creating problem in peaceful areas like Tamenglong district and other Zeliangrong areas” when “the GOI has excluded both groups of NSCN from the list of terrorists,” the petition said.
Recalling earlier incidents involving the said unit of the Assam Rifles, the petition spoke of a raid on the official residence of SDO Tousem sub-division Dinguanglung Gangmei at Tamenglong headquarters in 2010. Col. Chonkar of the Assam Rifles had allegedly humiliated a group of Zeliangrong leaders after the military officer himself invited them to meet a Brigadier.
When the Naga leaders came into the office of the Brigadier they were told that the military man cannot give an audience “because he is the boss there.” “He (Col. Chonkar) even proclaimed that he (Brigadier) was all in all and he can even eliminate anybody anytime”.
The Zeliangrong organisations alleged that the Assam Rifles were using these provocations and incidences to influence their own “promotions” because “there is no work for the (Indian) security forces” because of ceasefires. The 11 AR would like to create Naga areas similar to Jammu and Kashmir. Its activities are anti to peaceful environment, it stated further.
“Therefore, we demand that the 11 AR should immediately be transferred out of Tamenglong district and Zeliangrong areas so that the tranquility of the district is maintained,” the petition said, adding that in the event of failure to look into the demand Zeliangrong public will be compelled to take up democratic means of agitation.
(With inputs from Newmai News Network)
