NEW DELHI/UKHRUL: Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD) on Saturday held a “One Day Peaceful Solidarity Protest” at Jantar Mantar over the continuing violence in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.
The protest was organised in response to the recent attacks and tensions reported from several Naga areas, including Litan, T.M. Kasom, Konsaram, Lungviram, Daili village and Tumuyon Khullen in Manipur state.
In its public appeal, NSUD said the protest was aimed at expressing solidarity with affected Naga villagers, remembering those killed in the violence and urging the Government of India to take immediate steps to restore peace and protect civilians.
Hundreds of students, community members and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar carrying placards and Naga flags while raising slogans demanding justice and security for Naga villages affected by the recent violence.
During the protest, Naga civil society organisations also submitted a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate intervention over what they termed as “external aggression” and a “proxy war” against the Nagas.
The memorandum was jointly submitted by United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women’s Union (NWU) and All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM).
The organisations alleged that Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) militants and SoO-linked armed groups were behind the recent attacks on Naga villages along the Indo-Myanmar border. They further alleged that around 100 armed KNA(B) cadres crossed the international border on May 7 and attacked Z Choro, Namlee-Wanglee and Kaka villages in Kamjong district.
The memorandum also claimed that drones, rocket launchers and 40 mm breach-loading guns were used during the attacks.
Referring to the violence in Ukhrul district, the memorandum alleged that Sinakeithei village had been facing repeated attacks since March this year while security forces remained ineffective in preventing the violence.
Among the key demands placed before the Prime Minister were immediate military action against armed groups operating in Naga areas, restoration of security along national highways, a judicial inquiry into the recent attacks and protection of Naga ancestral land and territorial integrity.
The memorandum also urged the Centre to expedite an “honourable and inclusive” Indo-Naga political settlement based on the Framework Agreement signed in 2015.