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06/12/2010: "Manipur choked Oinam Sunil, TNN, IST indiatimes.com"
Manipur choked Oinam Sunil, TNN, IST indiatimes.com
GUWAHATI: Petrol is selling at Rs 100 a litre and that's a bit of respite. Last week, it was selling for Rs 170 a litre and that too was scarce. A cylinder of cooking gas is going for Rs 1,800. Routine surgeries were put off at all hospitals because most medicine shelves were empty and oxygen cylinders couldn't be refilled.
That's a snapshot of life in the last two months in Imphal and most parts of Manipur where protesters, mostly Naga students' groups, choked National Highway 39 — the lifeline of the state, which borders Myanmar. The protests are directed at Okram Ibobi Singh government's decision to not allow the separatist Naga group NSCN (IM) general secretary T Muivah to visit his native village Somdal in Ukhrul district. NH-39 connects Manipur to Dimapur, the closest railhead.
The blockade in Manipur is for three reasons. The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (Ansam), started its agitation from April 12 in protest against the holding of Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls in the hill districts as it feels the ADC Act "suppresses tribal rights". The Manipur government, meanwhile, declared Ansam president David Choro and United Naga Council (UNC) president Samson Remei as "wanted" and announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on them. The UNC also backed the blockade.
The crisis was compounded with NSCN (IM) supporters joining the blockade after the Ibobi Singh-led Congress government prevented Muivah from visiting Somdal over fears it might re-ignite the greater Nagaland and separatist movements. Security officials, however, suspect that those who called the blockade were close to the NSCN (IM) and the intention was to choke Manipur's lifeline.
"The blockade is not only creating problems for people in Manipur, it is also affecting Nagaland. Many hotels and shops on NH-39 have downed shutters after vehicles stopped plying. Nagas in Manipur are also bearing the brunt," said a political observer in Kohima.
However, things might improve in the next few days, government sources said. The Naga Student Federation, one of the protesting groups, has softened its stand and decided to consider lifting the blockade in Nagaland after Manipur chief secretary D S Poonia wrote a letter to it expressing "regret" for the "inconvenience" caused to the federation's team at Mao Gate on May 3. The NSF joined the protest from May 4 in protest against Manipur Police's move to stop them from visiting Senapati district a day earlier.
It is an irony that an elected government has to apologize to a students' organization. Many feel such a concession was not healthy for a government. And the Centre, it seems, doesn't mind such a trend.
On Wednesday, Union home secretary G K Pillai indicated that Naga protesters will soon lift the blockade. The following day, the NSF said the ban on Manipur vehicles in Nagaland would soon be lifted in response to a letter written by the Manipur chief secretary and public appeal.
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
June 12th 2010
MoU signed between the Tangkhul Frontal Civil Organisation and the Ukhrul District Administration represented by Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul and Superintendent of Police, Ukhrul on the intervening night of June 2nd 2010, state that:
1. Tender sincere apology for the indiscriminate firing
2. IRB/C’dos posted in Ukhrul district will be withdrawn immediately within 12 hours
3. Necessary financial help will be extended to the injured
4. The culprit security personnel will be identified and necessary disciplinary action (suspension) will be taken within 12 hours.
It would be worth recollecting, that the Women Torch Bearer on good faith has safely released the 5th Manipur Rifles personnel, 17 in number along with the confiscated 16 SLR and 1 Carbine on June 3rd, 2010. The same arms were hand-over to the DC at his Office by the Tangkhul Civil Organisation stating “we don’t believe in arms to seek justice”.
Having assured of implementing the MoU by the District Administration, it is worth pondering on the re-deployment of IRBs and Commandos at Jessami. The sincerity on the part of District Administration in assisting the 19 injured civilian, victims of the June 2nd 2010 incident is still yet to be demonstrated.
It is observed that the IRBs and Commandos personnel are manning the road at NH 150 creating a lot of confusion and inconveniences to the public and villagers. It is also learnt that brute security forces have set up their sentry post at the Jessami Forest Gate a strategic point and the first interception point-that connects Nagaland state and Jessami.
We would like to raise this very few questions to the DC and SP of Ukhrul:
1. Why the DC and SP of Ukhrul is still silent over the re-deployment of Manipur Police Commandos/IRBs in Jessami Village where the said forces were suppose to be withdrawn from Ukhrul Headquarter and areas as per the MoU of June 2nd 2010 inked by the DC and SP themselves?
2. State brute forces have already create havoc to the public at Mao Gate on May 6th 2010 and Ukhrul Town on June 2nd 2010, then Why are the DC and SP still a spectator to the re-deployment of IRBs and Commandos at Jessami Village?
3. What actions are being initiated against the culprit security personnel? Whose reckless indiscriminate firing and tear-gassing continuously for more than two hours left injuries to 19 Civilian on June 2nd 2010.
Failure to pull out the brute security forces and undermining the sentiments of Naga will compel to launch our democratic right to agitate, for which the head of District Administration –DC and SP will be held sole responsible for any untoward eventualities and consequences arising thereof.
Tennoson Pheiray
Media & Publicity Wing
Tangkhul Coordination Committee
OFFICE OF THE
NAGA YOUTH FRONT
HEAD OFFICE: SENAPATI DISTRICT H/Q.
PRESS RELEASE the Senapati
The Naga Youth Front (NYF) would like to express strong resentment to the Media fraternity especially some of the Valley based local news papers reporting the prevailing situation in a bias and communal line. Such hidden agendas will not be tolerated nor compromised and that if it continues even after repeated appeals and request, the NYF will be very much compelled to take drastic against such indentified newspaper/media-persons by banning it in all the Naga Hill Districts. Therefore, the NYF while acknowledging the daring and noble task of the Journalist and Media groups appeal again to cease and avoid any communal and bias nature of reporting. It will support and co-operate any form of journalism which is for the common good of the people and disseminating the truth for the masses.
It may be noted that, the United Naga Council (UNC) has termed some media group in the valley as involved in “biased reporting” on 31st May, 2010 at the Mass rally held at Senapati District H/Q. Sadly, till today some of the highly circulated newspapers has defied the Ethics of Journalism and still continues to report with prejudices and provoking agendas. At the height of the present volatile situation, such undemocratic journalism will only maximize the present situation rather than defusing it.
Recalling and evaluating some of the newspaper reporting, it has come to light that, certain newspapers has been collaborating with the State Government and some valley based Organizations. Here, it has been actively involved in reporting only the hardships and difficulties of the Valley rather than reporting without detachment in regard to the whole present issue created by the O.Ibobi led SPF Congress Government at the behest of some valley Organizations. Further, some of the media even today failed to report the terror and havoc created by the Manipur Police Commandos/IRBs in Naga areas. *
*The Naga Youth Front (NYF) is also forced to demand over the prolonged silence of Ms Nidhi Kesarwani, IAS Deputy Commissioner, Senapati District in removing the Manipur Police Commandos/IRBs from the District and failure to initiate any substantial actions for the displaced people still in Relief camps in Nagaland.
The Naga Youth Front has published in the local newspapers on 21st May, 2010 demanding immediate answer and action to the below cited questions on or before 25th of May, 2010, but till date, the said Deputy Commissioner is yet to produce any concrete reply to the NYF.
• Why the DC is still silent over the re-deployment of Manipur Police Commandos/IRBs in Liyai Khunou where the said forces have began terrorizing the villagers?
• Why is the DC still yet to visit the spot and supervise the prevailing situation at Mao-gate especially to those thousands of displaced villagers of Song Song and Kalinamai villages?
• With the reckless mentioned State forces left after creating havoc and difficulties to the public in Mao-gate and now at Liyai Khunou Village, why is the DC still a dumb and blind spectator to the said activities?
Therefore, the NYF will launch its democratic right to agitate, for which the District administration will be responsible for any consequences.
Sd/- (M.Dosopuwa)
Investigation&Publicity, NPF
Manipur vehicles not to ply through Nagaland STAFF WRITER (PTI)
Imphal, June 12 Buses and trucks of Manipur will not ply through Nagaland until the Centre and the Nagaland government pay compensation for vehicles damaged during the ongoing indefinite economic blockade on national highways, the transporters and drivers council (TDC) said today.
"Several non-government organisations and militant outfits have been extorting money and harassing drivers, vehicle owners and passengers from Manipur in Nagaland for many years but we (TDC) have been tolerating it," TDC spokesman and general secretary N G Haridas told reporters here.
Several vehicles were destroyed during the ongoing economic blockade on NH 39 (Imphal-Kohima-Dimapur) passing through a major portion of Nagaland and NH-53 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar) by All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM), Haridas alleged.
The decision not to ply trucks and buses was taken during an emergency meeting of the council last evening.
PRESS RELEASE
Dated Tahamzam June 11, 2010
REMOVE WANTED TAG ON NAGA LEADERS; REVOKE SECTION 144 CrPC and WITHDRAW ALL THE MANIPUR STATE ARMED FORCES FROM NAGA AREAS
– 24 HRS TOTAL BANDH TO BE IMPOSED.
–
Time and again Nagas has democratically registered their demand for abrogating the 3rd Amendment Act of 2008 Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and defer the impostion of the Autonomous District Council Election 2010. That, instead of responding positively to the voice of the people the adamand state govt. of Manipur has resorted to suppression and blatantly used the state armed forces and machineries to impose the rejected election process resulting to unwanted violence.
While denouncing the act of state government of Manipur, the Naga frontal organisations in its consultative meeting on 7th & 8th June 2010 had decided to demand for withdrawal of the wanted tag imposed on the Naga leaders of President ANSAM and UNC within 5 days. The meeting further had decided to reiterate its demand to the state govt. of Manipur to withdraw the imposition of section 144 CrPC in Naga areas; withdrawal of Manipur state armed forces from Naga areas.
The disillusion justification of shifting the blame to the Naga leaders is nothing but imposition of reign of terror which is nothing but murdering democracy in India. The effort of the state govt. to threaten the Nagas through brute force and use of Paramilitary Forces, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, Indian Army etc has further compounded the fragile situation with counter agitations. That, the Naga Frontal Organizations believe in democratic principle to resolve any issues, but when we are push to the wall using brute forces and strictures, Nagas will not succumb to any forces but respond with “Peace for Peace” and “War for War”
Asserting the UNC 5 day ultimatum to the state govt. of Manipur fails to withdraw the imposed ‘Wanted Tag’, the Naga Frontal Organizations will call for a 24 hrs Total Bandh from midnight 13th June 2010 which shall also apply to the Railway Line Construction from Jiribam to Tupul. The Total Bandh will follow suit with series of democratic agitations if the tribal people’s existence is not respected. The Naga Frontal Organizations also caution the state govt. of Manipur to withdraw all Manipur state armed forces from Naga Areas and revoke the imposition of Section 144 CrPC in Naga areas.
The Naga Youth Front, Students and Women Organizations, Tribe Hohos, Village Authorities, Church Leaders are informed to prepare for any eventualities and strictly enforced the protest within their jurisdictions.
Publicity Wing, UNC
Press statement.
Dated: 12/06/2010
“ Naga Youth Front open letter to all who wants to hear only the voice of Imphal valley on humanitarian ground only”
This is an open letter to all concern that refuses to listen to the Naga peoples’ side of story on this present issue. The present economic blockade was imposed when all democratic means was exhausted against the imposition of the unwanted District Council election without peoples consultation. This was the first insult. This very act was rejected 20 years back by the tribals of Manipur. The present economic blockade was enforced under the aegis of All Naga Students’ Association (ANSAM) since April 12, 2010. First one week was imposed yet Ibobi kept quite and refused to listen to the cry of the tribals. Since then the indefinite blockade was announced. However, against all democratic means invitation was sent to UNC on 26th may on the day of 1st phase polling of district council at 2 pm through DC Senapati District after a gap of 3 months of representation and democratic means. This was the second insult. Ironically Ibobi has not invited for dialogue to ANSAM till now.
To make known to all who are trying to polarise/divert the present issue to Honourable Ato Kilonser Th. Muivah proposed visit to his home town to attend the fasting revival programme from 5th to 7th May which is an every year affair since 100 years after Christianity was accepted and also meet people to share on the progress of Indo-Naga peace process. This was the Third insult.
Much to the pain of people who have been affected by the blockade be it Meitei, Tribal, Nagas the Naga people is more painful to go up to extend of economic blockade which is the most unwilling act to do. Instead of exploring means and ways to end the impasse Ibobi along with Meitei Minister Biren, Ranjit without any remorse on Mao incident, Taphou, Khumji and Ukhrul communal indiscriminate firing upon women and children leading to 2 death and hundreds and hundreds of women injured. They went all out to suppress through media war, communal inciting meeting in all localities in the valley and taking commandos/MIRB to cut through the road where in Khumji women and children were targeted. Irabot, a senior minister instead of advising the government for peace means solution he went on for making into solo hero and ended firing in NH-53on innocent women in Noney. Local MLA Y. Surchandra of Kakching, under Thoubal District along with his supporters destroyed Maring Naga village sign board written as Chandel District, that there is no Naga in Manipur.
With the appeal from all section on the plight of innocent people in Imphal valley, to review on economic blockade issue from various perspective the United Naga Council (UNC) had call for presidential council meeting of all tribe on 7th June, ANSAM call presidential council meeting on 8 June and Coordination committee of UNC and frontal organisation of all district meeting on 8 June. It was open information to all tribe body, students, and members in all districts. Ibobi as Chief Minister was aware of it on review meeting been called, when all state intelligent agency are omnipresent in different colour and shaped. However, to the dismay of Nagas suddenly he came out on the same day of meeting with the arrest warrant with ‘wanted tag” of Rupees one lakh each on UNC president and ANSAM president in the name of acting president. However, the Naga people decided to give 5 days to IBOBI and his communal cohort if sense and sensibility would prevail. This cheap gimmick to criminalise the Naga Traditional body and members to sub-human was adding salt to the wound. This was the Fourth insult.
Now ladies and gentleman, tell us who is responsible for the blockade and who want to continue? Is it not sufficient that IBOBI and his communal cohort want this conflict to continue? Where was the logic to come out with wanted tag with prize when he knew the whole Naga people were having meeting to review the blockade? And when has Imphal valley media published Naga statement, except rejoinder to Nagas statement which was never published in their dailies papers? Rather the press themselves in different names/orgs issue rejoinder to confuse the whole population in the valley. Why did they black out the exodus of Indians from the valley quit notice issued?
Convince the Nagas and tribal, that who want BLOCKADE to continue and misled the world? Is it not Ibobi and his communal forces Government who wants to continue with the blockade? Nagas are simple who will stand to the fact not try to misled neighbours unlike IBOBI and his communal cohort sponsoring for counter blockade in Imphal valley and some miscreant in Assam undermining the people there.
The NYF condemn all who in the name of peace misled the people through false propaganda which is crime against humanity. Ibobi and his communal cohort trying to divert on arrest warrant to two Naga leaders from the main issue is a foolish planning. Nagas know what our right are before even he was born. NYF Appeal to all different Indian political parties and the power that be in Delhi, must understand not sway away to the cheap propaganda. No where in the world has problem been solved through false propaganda and misleading of hard facts.
(M.Dosopuwa)
Investigation and Publicity.
Press Statement of the Poumai Naga Naotumai Me (PNNM) on Militarisation of Liyai Khunou (Chilao) Village, Senapati District Manipur, India.
The Villagers of Liyai Khunou (Chilao) were shocked to find their village heavily militarised on the morning of June 4, 2010. Around hundred heavily armed personnel belonging to Manipur Police Commandos led by Superintendent of Police Radhashyam of Imphal East District are presently camping in the village since then to stop Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of NSCN from visiting his birthplace, Somdal in Ukhrul District, Manipur.
One house belonging to Mr. Th. Thaisho, was forcefully broken in and is being occupied by the Manipur Police Commandos. Two barns were removed forcefully by the security forces to gain space for their stay in the house.
Liyai Khunou Village or locally known as Chilao is a small Poumai village with about 30 houses and is situated about 25 Km to the south of Pfutsuro, the town in the state of Nagaland where Mr. Muivah is presently stationed.
The Poumai Naga Naotumai Me (Poumai Naga Women Union, PNNM) visited the village on June, 6, 2010 to meet villagers and assess the situation. PNNM encountered terrified women and children with stories of mistreatment and harassment suffered at the hands of the Commandos. Numerous reports and statements of properties, including firewood, fruits, etc forcefully taken by the commandos were received from the villagers. They also reported that when complaints were made, they were threatened. Commandos were also reported to invade the privacy of homes to charge their mobile phones and other electronic gadgets even in the absence of house-owners.
Villagers, particularly women, expressed their concern regarding the safety of children when elders are not present. Statements were received that commandos lure children with sweets in exchange for other goods in the absence of elders.
PNNM saw that the village is clearly under siege. Villagers have already expressed their concern through a complain letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, District, Manipur to immediately intervene. However, action is still awaited.
PNNM is against the militarization of any kind and strongly urges the authorities to immediately withdraw the commandos. We also appeal to all Naga individuals and organisations, and civil society from other parts of the country to take note of the plight of the Chilao Villagers and intervene to remove the commandos from their village.
P. Delilah Pao
President, PNNM
June 12, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
Dated Tahamzam June 11, 2010
REMOVE WANTED TAG ON NAGA LEADERS; REVOKE SECTION 144 CrPC and WITHDRAW ALL THE MANIPUR STATE ARMED FORCES FROM NAGA AREAS
– 24 HRS TOTAL BANDH TO BE IMPOSED.
–
Time and again Nagas has democratically registered their demand for abrogating the 3rd Amendment Act of 2008 Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and defer the impostion of the Autonomous District Council Election 2010. That, instead of responding positively to the voice of the people the adamand state govt. of Manipur has resorted to suppression and blatantly used the state armed forces and machineries to impose the rejected election process resulting to unwanted violence.
While denouncing the act of state government of Manipur, the Naga frontal organisations in its consultative meeting on 7th & 8th June 2010 had decided to demand for withdrawal of the wanted tag imposed on the Naga leaders of President ANSAM and UNC within 5 days. The meeting further had decided to reiterate its demand to the state govt. of Manipur to withdraw the imposition of section 144 CrPC in Naga areas; withdrawal of Manipur state armed forces from Naga areas.
The disillusion justification of shifting the blame to the Naga leaders is nothing but imposition of reign of terror which is nothing but murdering democracy in India. The effort of the state govt. to threaten the Nagas through brute force and use of Paramilitary Forces, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, Indian Army etc has further compounded the fragile situation with counter agitations. That, the Naga Frontal Organizations believe in democratic principle to resolve any issues, but when we are push to the wall using brute forces and strictures, Nagas will not succumb to any forces but respond with “Peace for Peace” and “War for War”
Asserting the UNC 5 day ultimatum to the state govt. of Manipur fails to withdraw the imposed ‘Wanted Tag’, the Naga Frontal Organizations will call for a 24 hrs Total Bandh from midnight 13th June 2010 which shall also apply to the Railway Line Construction from Jiribam to Tupul. The Total Bandh will follow suit with series of democratic agitations if the tribal people’s existence is not respected. The Naga Frontal Organizations also caution the state govt. of Manipur to withdraw all Manipur state armed forces from Naga Areas and revoke the imposition of Section 144 CrPC in Naga areas.
The Naga Youth Front, Students and Women Organizations, Tribe Hohos, Village Authorities, Church Leaders are informed to prepare for any eventualities and strictly enforced the protest within their jurisdictions.
Publicity Wing, UNC
CONDEMNATION
The 12th June, 2010
Press note:
The Anal Naga Tangpi (ANTA) the apex body of the Anal Tribe strongly condemns the decision of Ibobi Led-Govt. for proclaiming the leaders of ANSAM & UNC as WANTED with Case Prize Rs. 1 Lac each on their head. The decision of Govt. clearly indicates the premature ness of the Ibobi Governance, in running the office of the state by showing indifferences attitude towards the hills people.
The reason for launching Economic-Blockade is against the ADC 3rd Amendment Act-’08 which deny the Rights of the Tribals passed by Ibobi self styled Govt. the ANTA further wants to know why Ibobi is still remaining deaf ear to the genuine demands of the tribal or what have prevented you from rectifying/amending the act?
To end this prevailing the ball is in the court of Ibobi. Why Ibobi add salt to the wounds of the tribal by issuing WANTED tag to the Leaders?
CM O. Ibobi is the sole responsible person for this whole state of affairs.
Sd/- BS. AUGUSTINE Gen. Secy, ANTA
Nagaland’s head hunters caught TERESA REHMAN (Women’s Feature Service)
During her childhood, Vikeyeno Zao, 36, had heard from her elders beguiling accounts of the tattooed headhunters of the Konyak tribe in her home state of Nagaland.
So fascinated was she with these tales that later, when Zao went on to pursue a film course in Delhi, she made up her mind to return home one day and capture the amazing memoirs of the few surviving ‘erstwhile’ headhunters on film.
Zao fulfilled her dream by making a 15-minute short film entitled ‘Last of the Tattooed Head Hunters’. But the film also brought the filmmaker glory when it was showcased in the short film section at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in France. In fact, it was the first time that a short film from India’s Northeast had made it to this prestigious festival.
Headhunting, the traditional practice of taking the head after killing a person, was followed since times immemorial in different parts of the world, including in Nagaland. The Nagas are a people of mongoloid stock inhabiting the mountainous region of the state.
They comprise 14 major tribes. Among these tribes are the Konyak and the Angami — Zao belongs to the Angami tribe — along with their sub-clans. Each tribe has its distinct dialects, traditions and customs.
Although headhunting is now a thing of the past for the Konyaks, who have adopted Christianity, Zao was keen to delve into the saga of this customary practice and chronicle the custom that has faded into oblivion. Researching for the film was a grueling task for this talented filmmaker and a mother of two. She spent close to seven years not only reading up extensively on the Konyaks but also visiting the tribes — people, who mostly live in the northern part of Nagaland, bordering Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh.
While collecting this information she came across many interpretations and theories
regarding headhunting, a practice that is symbolic of ‘masculinity’. According to some anthropological studies, the practice stemmed from the belief that the head contained the soul or life force, which could be harnessed by capturing it. It was believed that taking the head as a trophy would enable the victor to gain some of his slain enemy’s power and spirit.
While her subject fascinated her immensely, it was the production of the film that kept Zao on her toes. Scenes of the film were enacted by tattooed headhunters from a village called Longwa, located on the Indo-Myanmar border. But it was challenging to extract work from them as today’s generation has all but forgotten their fearsome traditions and culture. “It was difficult to convince them to enact scenes from a custom they had long abandoned. I met a couple of youngsters who had heard about this tradition but had never seen it for themselves. But as most of them knew English they helped me by being interpreters for their elders,” Zao says, whose husband is also a producer and cinematographer.
Apart from the tricky task of convincing the Konyaks to shoot scenes for her film, she also had to face logistic problems like bad road conditions and frequent power cuts. “The roads in those parts are so bad that it sometimes took me more than an hour to cover just one kilometre. But it was my dream to make a film on the Konyaks and showcase it to the world,” she says.
Zao’s efforts certainly did not go in vain. Her dream project made it all the way to Cannes. “I feel honoured as well as excited. It’s a matter of pride for me as well as for the people of the Northeast,” she says.
But ‘Last of the Tattooed Head Hunters’ is not Zao’s maiden venture. She has produced and directed several films on the anthropological aspects of the different tribes of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The most notable among them are ‘Defenders’, a fictional 100-minute period film based on Naga history which was made in 2009, and ‘Sopfunuo’, a fictional film on polygamy practices among the Nagas.
Her work has earned her many fans. Artist Dilip Tamuly, who has seen ‘Last of the Tattooed Head Hunters’, says, “She is a very sensitive director and delves into details. Overall the film has been smoothly executed and brings to light the macabre ritual of a tribe.”
Arum Lochan Das, a film critic, adds, “It is good news for us that a short film has been selected for the competitive section in the Cannes film festival. It is to her credit especially because she is one of the few women directors from the region.”
Zoa’s work is a window to the culture of Northeast India. Talking about the headhunters, she narrates fascinating tales of how a warrior who was able to bring a head home earned the respect in his clan. “He dressed up in the best of clothes and got the best of wives. He even decorated his house with more feathers, ethnic symbols and wood carvings,” she says. Most important was the tattoo on his face that is made by none other than the rani (queen) of the clan.
Zao’s research also revealed that headhunting was practiced for different reasons — sometimes for defence, but at other times it was to assert authority, especially in cases of land dispute. It was a part of survival strategies in a harsh terrain, where people they had to fight for their turf with other equally fearsome warrior clans.
The film tries to re-enact the ritualistic details of headhunting, a practice that continued till the mid-20th century. It shows how soothsayers could predict in which direction the enemy was lying and the time and direction in which the warrior should move. When the warriors brought their prized trophy home, they would place it on a platform made of a banana trunk for three to four months until the head began to rot. Then a ritual was performed and the skull was brought and kept in the Morung, a dormitory where young, unmarried men were taught life skills.
Not only does Zao bring Konyak’s past to life in an interesting manner, she also talks about the present-day political problems of the tribe. In 1972, when the international border between India and Myanmar was demarcated, it ran through the Konyak villages, and, at some places, even through their homes. “No consideration was given to the rights of the Konyaks to live as one people in one country. Today their wish to live as a homogeneous tribe faces an uncertain future,” says Zao.
Headhunting might be a thing of past but Zao’s film is not just a fascinating account of the ritual, but also aims to educate the world about the Konyaks, their homeland, their traditions and ancient customs. But it also highlights the pressures they face in today’s India.
