Dimapur, Nov 8 (MExN): Fed up of what it termed the underground factions’ arrogance and that a time has come for public movement and dominance since it cannot keep silent for too long, the public of Shamator town has decided that no factions would be allowed to stay in the town further. On failure to abide by the resolution – taken November 6 at a public protest meeting at the town’s local ground – the general public warned of a further course of action.
The sharp public reaction came in the wake of physical harassment meted out to ex-Minister K Zungkum as well as a reported attempted on his life by two cadres belonging to the NSCN-IM, on November 5, organizations informed. The cadres were identified as Corporal Rishing and Corporal Stephen. In addition to the harassment, the ex-minister’s driver and one Beri of Shamator town was also assaulted. Following the assault, the irate public of Shamator gathered and caught Rishing and beat him up. A complaint was later lodged and he was subsequently handed over to Shamator Police station.
The cause of the incident was a demand for truck entrance fee, a statement issued by various mass-based organizations of the town informed. The incident took place at a location where the new official residence of Shamator ADC is under construction.
In connection with the incident, a protest rally was organized on November 6 at Shamator. All government offices, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closed for the day while traffic movement was restricted. It was informed that about 3,000 people took part in the protest meeting which commenced at the local ground around 9am and lasted till 2pm. In the meeting it was resolved that henceforth no underground factions would be allowed to stay at Shamator Headquarter further. It was sternly warned that failure to abide by the resolution would invite a further course of action from the people. It was also demanded that the two cadres be terminated from the NSCN-IM. After the meeting, a procession was taken out with the people shouting slogans against the “gun point rule”, it was added.
The public took strong exception to what it termed the arrogance of underground factions and has declared that the people can no longer remain silent. “In the name of independence we have lost many good leaders and innocent public. Now the public can not be kept silent for long. A time has come for people’s movement and dominance and not the factions’ aristocratic (sic) arrogance” a public statement from various mass-based organizations declared. The statement was attested by, among others, Yimchungru Mothers’ Association, Shamator Town Students Union, Public Forum Shamator, Shamator Chamber of Commerce and citizens as well.
