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08/15/2009: "State terror struck in Nagalim Seven NSCN soldiers brutally tortured and killed by the Assam Rifles, villagers threatened at gunpoint"

Naga International Support Center, NISC www.nagalim.nl
A human rights organization

Press Release
Amsterdam, August 14 2009

State terror struck in Nagalim
Seven NSCN soldiers brutally tortured and killed by the Assam Rifles, villagers threatened at gunpoint

By way of the Assam Rifles attacking and executing the soldiers of the NSCN Government of India without words but by way of the gun has declared war on the Naga Peoples of the Northeast of India and Myanmar

When officially under ceasefire it is abhorrent to learn that Assam Rifles in Uhkrul Manipur, see the reaction of the peoples organizations below, opened fire on and bombed the soldiers of the NSCN. The Assam Rifles are directly accountable for this blatant violation of cease fire Is this betrayal? Is the Government of India through the Assam Rifles heading for war again?
On August the Assam Rifles, under 10 Sector, on a group of NSCN (IM) cadres in Ukhrul district of Manipur ambushed soldiers of the NSCN, the main revolutionist organization of the Naga Peoples. A number of NSCN (IM) cadres were reported killed, including a cadre the Tangkhul organizations allegedly was tortured and killed by the Assam Rifles after being arrested near the site of the incident. Pictures of horrifying abuse are in our possession.
On top of this, the Assam Rifles threaten the Naga people who live around the spot where the ambush took place were driven out as the Rifles block the access roads. They are afraid to return to their homes and have to leave their fields unattended. Tomorrow, August 15 an estimated number 2000 Nagas will march to the spot to protest against the actions of the Assam Rifles, to demand justice and to hold the Government of India accountable for not living up to the letter and spirit of the cease fire.

The Naga International Support Center appalled at the callous attack on the Nagas. NISC demands Justice from the Government of India if only to show that no one under the command of the Government of India is allowed to act on their own and is protected by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Though now under review and up for amendments like the shoot to kill and non accountability clauses.

Since the Government of India is ultimately responsible for what its forces do consequently the Naga International Support Center severely condemns the Assam Rifles and holds the Government of India accountable and advises:

Government of India, do come out with a statement by way of which you disown these atrocious acts which can only demean the righteous and humane status of the nation India or else be under suspicion of being the commander of the Assam Rifles perpetrators
For more information visit www.nagalim.nl or email nisc@nagalim.nl
7 NSCN(IM) insurgents killed in encounter
Iboyaima Laithangbam The Hindu
IMPHAL: At least seven insurgents of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) were killed in an encounter with Assam Rifles in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, bordering Myanmar, on Wednesday, tribal villagers said.
A villager was also killed in cross-firing, they told journalists who rushed to the district headquarters. An automatic rifle was recovered from the mountains.
But neither Assam Rifles nor the police have as yet come with a statement on the fierce encounter. Assam Rifles have not been permitting anyone, including district officials, to enter the troubled area.
One police team from the district headquarters has gone towards the border area but there is no report of its having arrived there.
In the absence of an official statement, different versions have been published in local newspapers. According to some versions, reinforcements of Assam Rifles have rushed there. Tribal villagers have fled their villages and are taking shelter in Phungyar.
Reports even said some leaders of Naga organisations had attempted to enter the area, but were disallowed by troopers of 12 and 23 Assam Rifles. And so, sporadic fighting continued. Tribal villagers claim to have seen trails of blood on stretches of grass and on mountain roads.
This is not the first time a standoff occurred between Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM), which is demanding unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Some time ago, Assam Rifles cordoned off a “peace camp” of the NSCN (IM) in Ukhrul

PRESS STATEMENT
14 August 2009

The Tangkhul frontal organizations—Tangkhul Naga Long (Tangkhul Hoho), Tangkhul Shanao Long (Tangkhul Women’s League), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (Tangkhul Students Union), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (Tangkhul Youth Council), Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (Tangkhul Village Chiefs Association), and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights—representing all the Tangkhul Naga population, are deeply concerned by the recent incident of unprovoked firing by the Assam Rifles, under 10 Sector, upon a group of NSCN (IM) cadres between Godah and Shakok villages under Phungyar Police Station in Ukhrul district on 12 August 2009. We are also concerned and deeply aggrieved by the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Salmon Hungyo, aged about 28 years, of Chahong Village, a cadre of NSCN (IM) by the Assam Rifles after being arrested and tortured near the site of the incident.
We see this as a disturbing development, and as an effort to destabilize and butcher the hard-earned peace and stability in the region. Such incidents, instead of resolving problems further exacerbate, promote, and feed violence.
Random bombings by Assam Rifles in civilian areas are taking place, particularly in and around Godah, Shakok, Loushing, and Loushing Khunthak villages under Phungyar Police Station in Ukhrul District, Manipur. This goes against all the accepted fundamental principles, norms, and foundations upon which the Indian Republic is founded, and in international norms and conventions.
The incident has put a huge number of populations in the area at risk and has violated their fundamental right to personal and emotional security. We would like to draw the attention of the media as well as the general public that a large number of villagers who are in their paddy fields, in hunting grounds, etc, being their hearth and home as forest people, are unable to return to their villages as a result of the present incident. We would like to further draw attention to the most uncalled for and unacceptable harassment of the public in many villages in Phungyar block who have been restricted from moving out of their house. There are still many individuals, who were carrying out their normal course of daily activities, whose whereabouts are still not known. These practices are manifestations of an unhealthy trend towards violence and confrontation.
We are profoundly disappointed by the callous attitude of the Assam Rifles in preventing the civil societies from visiting the villages affected by the incident on 12 August 2009. A team of civil society leaders including representatives of the United Naga Council, Manipur, North East Indigenous Women Forum, Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, etc were stopped from proceeding further at Shakok village by the CO 23 Assam Rifles.
It is pertinent to mention that Phungyar Block has been declared as a drought hit area by the Government. However, the Assam Rifles in Shangshak village has prohibited food supplies from being taken to the villages. This is a blatant violation of the fundamental right to food, security, and physical wellbeing.
The Assam Rifles personal have also cut the Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) at Hundung Cement Factory, the only existing means of communication from Ukhrul to other parts of country. This is illegal and calls for stringent punishment.
We appeal to the appropriate district authorities to immediately ensure and guarantee the personal and physical security of the villagers. We further demand from the Government of India to properly ensure the compliance and conformation to the Ceasefire Ground Rules in the larger interest of stability and peace in the region.
To mourn the demise of our peace and physical security, and to resist the move towards violence, the Tangkhul people numbering almost 20, 000 marched to the resident of the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul. Amongst others, the memorandum demanded from the Prime Minister:
a. To clarify once and for all whether there is a cease-fire in Naga areas outside Nagaland.
b. To immediately stop the current operations being carried out in the area
c. To immediately withdraw Assam Rifles, “Friends of the Hills People” from Ukhrul District.
d. To ensure and guarantee the safety and well being of the population of the area.
Further, the Tangkhul people have resolved to start a non-cooperation movement against the Government of India from 6.00 PM today until our physical and emotional security is guaranteed and ensured.
We underline and stress that the Nagas believe in the preeminence of peace for holistic, stable development of the society, and to resolve problems. We also reiterate our faith in amicable negotiations as a means to resolve any problems in the society.
Stephen Angkang A. S. Dinah Wungnaoshang A. Shimray
President, TNL President, TSL President, TKS



Zanyo Varam, Kaphungkan K. Shimray Alung Rungsung
President, TMNL President, TNWL Coordinator, NPMHR