Father of Dikho Loshuo and mother of Neli Chakho after receiving mementoes from ANSAM President Seth Satsang, during the 4th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshuo, at Martyrs Park, Mao gate, May 6. (Photo: Mashangva Somi)
Mao Gate: The 4th anniversary of the martyrdom of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshuo took place here today at the Martyrs’ Park organized by Mao Council, under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) in collaboration with All Naga Students’ Association Manipur and Mao Students’ Union.
4th anniversary of martyrdom of Loshou, Chakho observed at Mao gate
In a reaffirmation during the observance of the 4th anniversary, it stated, “Today we remember and honour late Neli Chakho and late Dikho Loshou whose young and promising lives were abruptly cut short by the bullets of the armed police of the Government of Manipur and also the hundreds of women and men who were subjected to inhuman police brutality at Mao Gate.”
“But as always, we have refused to be cowed down by violent suppressions. On this fourth anniversary, as we pay our respects to the martyred students and the other victims of police atrocities, we also manifest our unwavering commitment to the world for an immediate alternative arrangement outside the communal Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.”
It also stated that the 6th May, 2010 incident at Mao Gate breaks open the flood of facts that calls for severance of ties with the Government of Manipur. “We are not safe - our lives and properties are not safe, our land is not safe, our culture and traditional practices are not safe, our political aspirations as a people are not safe, our dignity and honour is not safe, our future is not safe,” it added.
The reaffirmation also stated that the Naga people in Manipur will hold steadfast to the conviction and commitment demonstrated by Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshou. “Their sacrifices will continue to inspire us and strengthen us in our struggle. We shall indeed overcome,” it added.
The reaffirmation, read out by UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei, was jointly signed by United Naga Council, Anal Naga Taangpi, Moyon Aanchung Puh, Tangkhul Naga Long, Kharam Union, Zeliangrong Baudi (Manipur), Chiru Union, Thangal Khanglong, Chothe Lim Abom, Inpui Naga Union, Poumai Naga Union, Tarao Tribe Union, Mao Council, Maring Uparup Assembly, Maram Union, Sirti Upa Ruh, Monsang Tribe Union, Lamkang Naga Kver Kunpun, Naga Peoples’ Organisation (Senapati), Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (South) and Naga Women’s Union.
Earlier, UNC president L. Adani said that people have gathered to reaffirm the spirit with which Chakho and Loshou performed the ultimate sacrifice. “They died because they would not take injustice and brutality laying down. They gave their all for the rights of a people to their identity, their inspirations and for a future with honour.”
“The day of martyrdom of Loshou and Chakho is a good day to reaffirm once again our political position as a people- on the Ist July, 2010 NPC, we had declared that we will sever all political ties with the communal GoM and demand an alternative arrangement outside the GoM pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue,” he said.
Adani said the movement for securing an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur has reached the 7th round of tripartite talk of the GoI, GoM and the Nagas in Manipur under the aegis of UNC.
In a landmark agreement, he said, it has been decided that a special committee would be instituted by the GoI to address “our demand of an alternative arrangement and to translate it into a political reality.”
“The GoI must exercise its political will and commitment to bring this process to its logical conclusion. We will continue to vigilantly engage with it and with sincerity, seriousness and in good faith in the democratic process of dialogue,” Adani said.
He also urged the people to believe in the position that the people have taken at this crucial phase of history and at the same time reminded the people of the collective responsibility of proving “ourselves worthy of the vision and goal that we have sat before us.”
The occasion also witnessed solidarity messages from Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga People’s Organization Senapati, Naga Women’s Union, NPMHR, Zeliangrong Baudi (Manipur) and others.
