[Info-Bureau] Open letter to the Manipur A Naga InternationalSupport Cente1

A Naga International Support Center, NISC, www.nagalim.nl

A human rights organization 

Amsterdam Netherlands, May 14 2010

Open letter to the Manipur State Government

Does Manipur want the land of the Nagas but not the Nagas themselves?

Dear Government of the Indian State of Manipur,

The Naga International Support Center, a Human Rights Organization, astounded by the deployment of your security forces which, under your command, prevented Th. Muivah from entering the state of Manipur, calls on you to elucidate this move. Before judge this move which led to the demise of young Naga students and injured scores of other Naga villagers, we ask you to clarify on the two, perhaps three, arguments you provided.�

Your first public argument is on the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN of the Naga Peoples which according to you is valid in Nagaland State only, not in Manipur. Your second argument is that Muivah has been charged with criminal and political offenses. And, perhaps, the third reason, argument and an affiliate of the former two, is that you suspect Muivah comes to Manipur to create a major disturbance, possibly to you his real reason for coming to Manipur in over 40 years.

Mr. Th. Muivah, born in what is now called Manipur, Manipur State, is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Nagalim and unlike you the Government of India had no objection to visit his native soil. Also, as far as we know Manipur was carved out of Assam after Nagaland State was founded.

Before asking you more on the point of the right to ban a citizen, born in Uhkrul Manipur, we would like you to read the text in full of the ceasefire agreement. We ask you this because there is no mention on territory, or any stipulation on the areas where this ceasefire would be valid or invalid. It is in fact an agreement between two parties, between two nations, and consequently valid anywhere in the world.

Since officially Manipur is part of India and the agreement is between the Government of India and the Naga Nation perhaps you should have lodged a protest with the Government of India against this agreement. This ceasefire agreement was reached in 1997, so why do you use that as an argument now when you could have done this many years ago. Do you think the Government of India should abide by your reading of this ceasefire agreement?

On the second point: If Muivah has been rightfully charges with a multitude of crimes, political or otherwise, we are sure what the State Government of Manipur can do legally. So, tell us please, enlighten us why you took the decision to go violent. The Naga International Support Center is sure that the Manipur State Government does not like to be branded as a government which indulges in state terrorism?

We would like clarification on why you deemed it necessary to came out in full force. Were you really so much afraid Muivah could create a stir? Instead of manhandling, threatening, frightening and even killing innocent Nagas would it not have been better to talk to Muivah first and make a program with him and his entourage, so all could have arranged in peace?

By peacefully demonstrating against your decision of banning Muivah from Manipur you unleashed your brutal forces on the Naga people. We ask you: Is that an act of fear, an act of desperation and/or a show of disgust and contempt for the people who live in Manipur? Do you agree that though you would like Manipur as it is, a state of India and in India, that the people, your people may not only think but will act differently? Considering these points we ask you sincerely and we appreciate a truthful answer to this central question:

Does Manipur want the land of the Nagas but not the Nagas themselves?

Considering too that Manipur is a state with its own Government which is part of India and hence held of the constitution and so the Government of India: Do you think that the Government of India should allow you to go as far as killing people who are peacefully demonstrating against your decision of disallowing a man whose birthright it is to be at the place where he was born, to be with his people?

Does the State Government of Manipur realize that by refusing Muivah or any other Naga entry to Manipur you are denying the man’s human right? It is the man’s birthright and denying him that at gunpoint means you could be held accountable for that. Both the Government of India, which signed the Human Rights Convention and the United Nations are the bodies who can hold you accountable. The Naga International Support Center welcomes you reaction to the questions asked.

With esteemed regards,

Naga International Support Center

 

 

 

STATEMENT

Dated Tahamzam: Mao 11, 2010

 

TEN DAYS SIEGE OF MAO GATE AREA BY THE MANIPUR STATE ARMED FORCES – WAR LIKE SITUATION CONTINUES

 

On the 29^th of April, 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, advised the Manipur, Nagaland and West Bengal State Government to arrange foolproof security for Th. Muivah, the Ato Kilonser of the GPRN, who would be visiting his native village, Somdal between 2^nd to 9^th May, 2010. The Naga people in the villages and townships, along the proposed route of his home visit journey started gearing up to welcome Mr Muivah.

 

On the 1^st May, 2010, hundreds of Manipur State police and other armed forces were then deployed at Mao gate, the border town between Manipur and Nagaland. It was first given out that they were being sent there for security coverage of Mr Muivah’s visit. The Manipur state armed forces were under the commands of �V. ZATHANG, IPS, IG (Law & Order) III; KAILUN, IPS, SP, Imphal West District; ANGAM KAMEI, IPS,� ADDL. SP, Imphal East; JAMES MANAO, MPS, ADDL SP, Kangpokpi; K. JAYANTA, MPS, SP, Bishnupur District; L. HAOKIP, IPS, DSP, Bishnupur; MD. ISAK, MPS, ADDL. SP, Bishnupur; IBOMACHA, MPS, DSP, Bishnupur and several other officers in the rank of Inspectors and sub-inspectors. Besides the escort contingents of the officers, the composition of the Manipur Armed forces includes (a) IRB – around 200 nos (b) Manipur Police Commandos – 200 + nos; (c) Manipur Rifles �– 24 nos; (d) over 400 nos of� fresh recruit under Manipur Police. The forces were heavily armed with rocket launchers, grenades & 2inch motor launchers, tear gas launchers, AK rifles, INSAS, LMGs etc. Armoured cars, fire-brigade trucks and water cannons were also positioned in the area.�

 

On 1st May 2010, the Government of Manipur in its cabinet decision declared that Mr. Th. Muivah, Hon’ble Ato Kilonser, GPRN will not be allowed to visit his village. On 2^nd May, 2010, prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr.P.C were issued and made effective from 5.00 pm along all areas in the stipulated route of Muivah’s visit plan. All vehicles entering National Highway 39 to Mao Gate from Nagaland was blocked by placing armoured cars in the middle of the road. The real purpose for deployment of the hundreds of Manipur State police and other armed forces at Mao gate, then became clear. Soon the traditional welcome gates erected by the Nagas to welcome Mr Muivah were dismantled against the explicit wish of the people. The postures, language and demeanour of the Manipur armed forces towards the local populace became threatening and abusive. An atmosphere of fear was thus created in the area. On the evening of 5^th May, 2010 at 6.30 P.M. one Mr Ashihrii Puni, of Song Song village, a Mao tribal, aged 52 years was brutally assaulted without any reason by the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Manipur.

 

Therefore on the 6^th of May, the general public of the area organized a peaceful procession on the National Highway 39 to protest against the savage act of the IRB and also to continue their protest against the ban on Mr Muivah’s visit. While the procession was being taken out, the Manipur State armed forces, without any warnings, started firing tear gas and stick bombs on the innocent public directly using them as lethal missiles, which claimed the first casualties of about ten women. Soon after, they started firing randomly on the protestors and in the process 2 (two) male students were shot dead and more than 80 persons, mainly women, sustained grievous bullet wounds and related injuries. The brutal onslaught by the heavily armed Manipur forces caused the public to disperse, but the barraging of the Mao Gate area with tear Gas and mock bombs continued for hours together. The Manipur armed forces also damaged many vehicles parked on the National Highway, kicked open doors of houses, entered and picked up menfolks and herded them away to their camp while assaulting them with blows and kicks.

 

This led to widespread fear and the villagers in Mao gate area fled to neihbouring villages and towns.� In the absence of the villagers, the Manipur security forces indulged in ransacking houses, looting and destruction of houses and properties. The lootings included vegetables, huge amount of cash, live chickens, potatoes, cartoons of eggs, bread & butter, guitar etc. The rampage resulted in the damage of over 12 motor vehicles of various makes amounting to loss of several lacs of rupees.

 

The security forces stationed in Mao have already barb-wired (electrified) half of the village away and forced residents to leave the area. Residents have been told not to come within 200 feet of the wires or "face the consequence". The Manipur state security forces have cut the main pipeline which supplies water to the cluster of 9 villages around Mao Gate

 

Presently, there are about two thousand internally displaced people, mostly women and children who have taken refuge in neighbouring villages in Nagaland and other nearby villages and towns. In Kisama heritage village, under Kohima District, Nagaland alone, there are 438 villagers taking shelter.

 

On the same day of the violent repression, the Naga frontal organisations on behalf of the Naga people sent a memorandum to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, informing them of the war-like situation prevailing at Mao area. The said memorandum urged for immediate intervention and demanded the followings - : A) Institute a judicial enquiry into the incident. B) Immediate withdrawal of 144 CRPC which has been imposed to prevent the entry of Mr Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser, GPRN. C) Immediate withdrawal of IRB and Police Commandos from Naga areas. D) Allow the entry and ensure the safe passage of Mr. Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser to his native village and to peacefully complete his peace tour. The memorandum indicated that the dead bodies of the murdered students would be received so long as the stipulated demands were not fulfilled.

 

It is with great surprise that the Senapati District administration has not responded in any manner to address the grievances of the people inspite of several representations by the people and chose to remain mute spectators. The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of the district seem to have been totally abdicated their duties and responsibilities while launching the offensive to prevent the entry of Mr. Th. Muivah to his native home. In any situation of such serious proportion, the representative of a popular Govt. meets the effected people. But in the instant case, except for the Chief Secretary, who made a touch and go visit to Tadubi to take an assessment of the situation on the 9^th May, 2010, no representative of the State Government has come to the area. It is definitely a war zone surely the State government is clear who their enemies are at this defining moments.�

 

Due to the intervention by the Naga Mothers’ Association and other concerned citizens in the interest of the bereaved families and for hygienic reasons, the Naga people after waiting for six days have decided to collect the two dead bodies and give a respectful Naga customary burial to the two noble martyrs on 12th May, 2010.

 

We are concerned that things will worsen if the Government of India does not intervene immediately to diffuse the volatile situation, which has been created by the Manipur Armed Forces and their most brutal repression.

 

 

Sd/-������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Sd/-

(SAMSON REMEI)��� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� (GRACE SHATSANG)

President��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� President

United Naga Council��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Naga Women’s Union, Manipur

 

 

Sd/-������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Sd/-

(DAVID CHORO)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� (PHAMHRING SENGUL)

President ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Convenor

All Naga Students’ Association Manipur�

 

UCM says, Muivah trapped in the tricks of GOI
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 09 2010: "Unless and until Muivah drops his demand for greater Nagaland from the peace talk with Government of India, he will not allow entering Manipur," said the United Committee UCM today in a statement reaffirming its stance for the territorial integrity of the state. Muivah's effort to enter his birthplace Somdal with hidden political agenda in the back should not be allowed at any cost, the statement signed by assistant secretary, IPR N Jiban said. The hidden agenda behind his visit in the state is well known to all section of the society.

Since the signing ceasefire pact between the NSCN (IM) and Government of India on August 1, 1997, more than 70 rounds of peace talks had hold but the talks could not conclude as there could not bring any amicable solution at some of the important demands of the outfit. Among the important demands it includes unification of all Naga inhabitant areas to form a greater Nagaland which would disintegrate Manipur.

Muivah's dream of breaking Manipur is not yet leaving behind. Muivah, who was trapped in the trick of the India government is spewing venoms to the people only to plea the leaders of the Indian government who wanted to create restless in the region. He is spewing venoms to the innocent brothers of hills area to create communal disharmony so that hatred be developed among the people of the multi-ethnic communities' state, the statement said.

This is the second time in which GOI is trying to break the territorial integrity of Manipur in collusion with Muivah, the statement alleged citing the first instance was that of June 14, 2001 Bangkok Declaration which includes extension of ceasefire between government forces and NSCN(IM) beyond Nagaland without territorial limit, as a result of which a uprising that lost to 18 live occurred on June 18 of the same year.

http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=2..100510.may10

Manipur govt adamant, six Naga MLAs resign �Sobhapati Samom | EMN
23333

IMPHAL, MAY 6: The Manipur Government has refused to budge on its decision not to allow NSCN-IM leader Th Muivah to enter the state even as six Naga members in the Manipur Assembly have tendered their resignations.

Following a marathon meeting of the cabinet here in Imphal on Thursday evening, Government spokesperson Biren announced that the government will not compromise from its decision not to allow Muivah to visit his home village.
Meanwhile, six Independent Naga MLAs have resigned from the Manipur Legislative Assembly considering the prevailing situation in Manipur.
 “We have sent our resignation letters to the Speaker,” one of the MLAs, who is presently camping at New Delhi along with some of his colleagues to meet the Prime Minister and Home Minister in connection with the ongoing impasse, informed over phone tonight.
The resignation letters of the MLAs - Wungnaoshang Keishing, Morung Makunga, Awangbow Newmai, K Raina and Dr Khashim Ruivah - were faxed to the Assembly secretariat while Danny Shaiza delivered it in person as he is in the state, the MLA said.
 “The government failed to consult us while taking any decision,” he further said. The Naga MLAs have been appealing for the Manipur Cabinet’s decision to block Muivah’s visit to be reconsidered.
 “If the state government’s policy is intended to thwart any initiative of bringing peace then we, as peoples’ representatives, will have no moral obligation to continue in office,” he explained.
There are 10 Naga MLAs in Manipur’s 60 member state assembly. Speaker Dr S Budhichandra could not be contacted for further details of the resignations.

ASSAM TRIBUNE REPORTS: Denouncing Centre’s move to allow Muivah to visit the State, Opposition Manipur People’s Party (MPP) has demanded resignation of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on moral ground taking responsibility of the conflicting situation arising out of the proposed entry of Muivah to Manipur.
The party has sent memoranda to the Prime Minister and Home Minister expressing party stand with regard to the objection to the entry of Th Muivah terming him as person masterminding disintegrating Manipur and seeking resignation of Chidambaram as Union Home Minister, MPP president, Dr Nimaichand Luwang said.

Manipur situation serious: PC Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
 NEW DELHI, May 7 –  Admitting that the situation in Manipur was serious, Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram said the Centre is trying to handle it, stressing Centre would not shy away from making changes in the  Constitution to ensure that people of North-East feel they are part of the country.

“In Manipur, there is a serious problem. A person wants to go to his home village. The Government there is resisting it. There is a problem in Manipur. We are trying to handle it,” he said on Thursday replying to a discussion on working of Home Ministry.

The Home Minister had summoned Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh for a day, on Thursday, in a bid to resolve the crisis in the State. At least six Naga MLAs of Manipur yesterday resigned in protest against State Government’s decision to ban Th. Muivah’s visit.

“We must not hesitate to make whatever changes in the governance sector that is necessary within the Indian Constitution. Whatever changes in the governance sector that is necessary must be met, so that the people of North-East, feel that they are part of India, that they are able to govern themselves. I promise that that would be the endeavour in this year,” he said without mentioning the ongoing political dialogue with NSCN (I-M).

Chidambaram also referred to the situation in Assam and mentioned about the dramatic change in situation following arrest of several insurgent leaders and signing of ceasefire pacts with a bunch of militant outfits.

“Now by and large violence has come down, except in Assam and Manipur, I think, we must reach out to the North-East. We must spend more money in the North-East. Our Department and Ministries must ensure that development takes place in the North-East, he said.

Chidambaram urged MPs to travel to the North-East, even if you don’t come from those States. When North-Eastern girls and boys come to Delhi or Mumbai, there are a lot of people who look upon them as if they are foreigners. They are not foreigners and they feel very unhappy I think, we need to mainstream our minds rather than ask that North-East should be mainstreamed. It is our minds I think which keep North-East down, he said.