Mokokchung, September 14 (MTNews): The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has in a press release issued on Wednesday stated that the Assam Rifles have suddenly moved into the Ukhrul District of Manipur in full force and occupied nine villages without the consent of the Naga village authorities.
GNF stated that these are peaceful villages belonging to the Tangkhul indigenous people who have rights to their lands and way of life guaranteed by the Indian constitution. “There are no anti-government activities going on there, nor law and order issues, nor anti-social problems. So Government of India owes an explanation for the unnecessary military intrusion in the lives of peaceful citizens,” GNF said.
GNF added that the GoI owes the explanation to the people of these villages first and foremost, and also to the country as a whole “since India is still a constitutional democracy, not a military dictatorship.”
Stating that the latest development in Ukhrul district is a clear violation of Naga people’s basic human rights, GNF stated that, for India, “Nagas are born losers, barbaric rebels, lawless “undergrounds”, “gangrene” on India’s body politic, who must be “exterminated” — to quote some Indian prime ministers.”
GNF said that people familiar with the Indian government’s treatment of the Nagas know that the military occupation of these villages will be defended as legally permissible under the 1958 Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). “But the same people also know that Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution guarantees Nagas the right to their lands and customary laws,” it added.
“So why is the Government of India acting in self-contradiction by sending armed forces to forcefully occupy peaceful Naga villages?” GNF asked. “On the one hand, India is violating its own law protecting Naga rights (Art. 371 (A), and on the other it is enforcing another law (AFSPA) that takes away the same right,” it added.
Citing reports of collective Tangkhul Civil Society Organizations on the “forceful occupation of nine peaceful villages in Ukhrul,” GNF said that public spaces such as the playgrounds, schools, children homes and community halls are being used as camps thereby hindering their usual functioning.
It also said that private spaces have also not been spared as constructions are being undertaken on private properties with utter disregard for its ownership. “Security check posts have been set up and the villagers are subjected to scrutiny as they go about their daily lives. This is not only an obvious discourtesy to the existing administration of the land but also a lack of consideration for the fears of the people,” GNF stated. It added that women and children especially are subjected to the fears caused by this unwarranted situation.
“Furthermore, the elders, who have not recovered from their traumas caused by the violence of the armies in the past are being subjected to it all over,” GNF stated.
“What we see here is a government in opposition to itself when it comes to Nagas. And the result is that Nagas are put in a no-win situation vis-a-vis India,” GNF asserted.
“The Global Naga Forum questions the intent and purpose of the intensifying military build-up in Ukhrul district. We ardently appeal for immediate intervention by the Prime Minister and Home Minister if they are truly sincere in finding a non-military resolution of the Indo-Naga problem,” GNF further stated.