ENPO, ENSF remind NSCN (I-M) on assault

Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) Monday reminded NSCN (I-M) authority to initiate action against those involved in April 19 incident in which a former ENSF speaker was allegedly assaulted by NSCN (I-M) cadres.

In a press release, ENPO vice president Sashi Naga and general secretary Thamlong Phom said the organization has taken serious note of “defamatory” remarks made upon the public of Eastern Nagas in general and the leaders of Eastern Nagas in particular.

The organization said it was compelled to “pressurize” the NSCN (I-M) collective leadership to immediately take action without delay on the erring cadres.

ENPO said the action taken report on the issue should be intimated to the organization on or before May 4.

The organization reminded that three Eastern Naga organizations had submitted a joint representation to the NSCN (I-M) kilo-kilonser for further action.

The ENSF too in a press release, said if the responsible authority was serious about its goals and objectives, such “culprits” should not be sheltered under its umbrella.

The federation reminded that any differences would be been resolved within the purview of the context instead of uttering a defamatory or a condemnatory speech against the people and the organization of the Eastern Nagas.

“Such remark has deeply hurt the sentiments of all the people of the Eastern Nagland and further appeal for justice without delay,” said ENSF.

Stating that the federation was never against any “Naga national groups or tribes,” ENSF said it supported ENPO stand on the issue and further appealed to the collective leadership of NSCN (I-M) to comply.

ENSF also said “we Easterners shall/will never inflict any harm or even let you felt the pinch while striving for justice and equality.

We are the people simply demanding for our rights and our due shares through justice. Our demands are deeply rooted so that we are accepted on equal footing or to live as equals with our fellow Naga brethrens.”

It may be mentioned that in a statement, the victim Throngso Yimchunger (former ENSF speaker) had given a detailed sequence of the incident and subsequent telephonic/mobile conversation with Joseph Lotha, the additional secretary of the Cease-fire Monitoring Cell NSCN (I-M) published on April 29 in local dailies under the caption ‘April 19 victim issues statement’.