Dimapur, June 5 (MExN): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between representative of the Tangkhul Coordination Committee (TCC) and the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police Ukhrul on June 3 arising out of the assault of civilians by the IRB personnel at around 07:30pm at Phungreitang Ukhrul and the aftermaths of June 2, 2010.
It claimed that having recognized the ongoing movement of the Naga Civil Society as democratic and genuine, the District Administration admitted that the “oppressive nature of the State Government to contain the movement is unwarranted”.
The TCC in a press note stated that in the MoU, it demanded the security personnel to tender sincere apology for the indiscriminate firing, the IRB/C’dos posted in DHQ to be withdrawn immediately within 12 hours, necessary financial help to be extended to the injured, the culprits among security personnel to be identified and necessary disciplinary action (suspension) to be initiated within 12 hours.
In agreeing with its MoU by the district administration and no civil organisation and no individuals will be victimized. The TCC on behalf of the people of Ukhrul district agreed to hand over the seized service weapons 15 SLR and 1 Carbine of the State Armed personnel by the women torch bearer to the Deputy Commissioner while stating “we don’t believe in arms to seek justice, (the 17 Manipur Rifles jawans from whom the weapon were seized were also released unharmed earlier) but to give it back to the Communal CM of Manipur O.Ibobi Singh to use in elsewhere in the Imphal Valley and not in the Naga Hills of Manipur for there is peace here and peace will prevail in the Naga areas”.
Meanwhile, the handing over ceremony was dedicated to the hundreds of men, women and children who were brutalized by State IRB and Commando on May 6 at Mao Gate and to the two martyrs Chakho and Loshou. “Our salute goes to the thousands of torch bearers who braved the rain of bullets of State security forces demanding justice on the intervening night of June 2 and 3 at Gandhi Chowk Ukhrul and to the injured 19 civilian”.
It also went on saying that the prevailing situation at Ukhrul and the rest of Naga Hills districts are direct offshoot of the State Government’s decision to go ahead with the Autonomous District Council election, against much opposition from the tribals of the state.
It stated that the United Naga Council (UNC) on May 14 called for resignation of all Naga candidates in the fray and economic blockade has been enforced by the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) on National Highway 39 demanding rejection of the Act in present form and contents. This development was followed by Muivah’s proposed visit to his homeland in Somdal village, Ukhrul District with the Government of India’s endorsement.
Reacting to the resistance, the Manipur CM, Ibobi sent hundreds of ‘battle-hardened’ Manipur armed forces to Jessami Village, Ukhrul district on June 4, to suppress the Naga peoples’ demand to allow its leader, Th. Muivah from embarking his journey to his native village. “The May 6th incident (Mao Gate) wounds and memory is still afresh, yet the Ibobi’s government has station a hundreds of State forces personnel at Jessami to brutalized and wage a war against the Nagas,” it added.
