Naga moms rally at Manipur border - On Mothers’ Day eve, women condole deaths and condemn firing at Mao; rights group lends voic

Khuzama (Nagaland), May 8: On the eve of Mothers’ Day, thousands of mothers from Nagaland gathered near Mao checkgate today to mourn the death of two Naga students and express solidarity with the women and children who were injured during the May 6 firing by Manipur police in Mao town in Senapati district. The solidarity rally, which was organised by Naga Mothers’ Association and supported by many Naga organisations, condemned the atrocities of Manipur police and denounced the violent activities of communities in Manipur Valley. It called for a halt to bloodshed and building peace among all communities. Members of Amnesty International who attended the rally condemned the atrocities of Manipur security forces on children and women and the use of brute force to contain people’s rights. Rosemary Dzivichu, an advisor to Naga Mothers’ Association, reiterated the association’s slogan “shed no more blood” while addressing the gathering. She said in any conflict women and children were the victims and called for a complete halt to violence against them. Khesheli Chishi, a former president of and now advisor to the association, said Nagas did not want violence. She blamed the neighbouring communities of harbouring and fomenting violence in the region. “We don’t want killing,” she said, adding that Naga mothers understood that life was precious. She said as the world prepared to celebrate Mothers’ Day tomorrow, Naga mothers were mourning the deaths of and injury to their children. The bodies of the two students are still lying in police custody as people in and around Mao town have fled and curfew is enforced in the area. Many of the injured are in hospi- tal. She condemned the action of Manipur police, which had rendered hundreds homeless as they had to flee to Nagaland to escape the security forces. “We treat Meiteis as our brothers and sisters and as one family. We want Nagas and Meiteis to live together,” she said, adding that Meiteis considered Nagas as their enemies. “Why are you so much against us when we want to live in peace?” she asked. However, at the same time, she stressed that Nagas would not compromise on their rights. They would remain one wherever they were and no force could disintegrate them. Venuh, the convenor of Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, said women had contributed a lot as the Nagas journeyed through a political upheaval but the men had failed to protect them from the atrocities committed by Indian security forces. He apologised to Naga women for the troubles they had faced. Referring to the Manipur government’s decision not to allow NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah to enter Manipur, he said, “Who are they to stop one from going to his village?” Muivah had planned to visit his native village, Somdal, in Ukhrul district on May 3 and then on May 6. He, however, deferred it once on the Centre’s request and then on the Naga organisations’ plea that he postpone his trip till a more congenial atmosphere prevailed. Venuh said Nagas had been suppressed for too long and whatever violence had taken place in Naga society was mostly unleashed by the state. “We want to live in peace. Whether Meitei people want to live in peace as good neighbours is their choice.” He called upon the Nagas to work for peace and unity. The president of Naga Students’ Federation, Mutsikoye Chakhesang, termed the Okram Ibobi Singh government as a “terrorist government” and called upon the Nagas to remain united to face any challenge from people who did not want peace..

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Mao Gate incident, anti-ADC poll protests plunges Manipur into crisis

The state is beginning to face various forms of hardships following the tense situation prevailing in the state due to the prolonged economic blockade called by the All Naga Students Union of Manipur, ANSAM and All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur on both the National Highways of the state including the NH-39 and NH-53 in connection with the state government decision to hold the ADC election in spite of strong oppositions from tribal bodies. The recent incident occurred at Mao has also led to complete road blockade along the route of NH-39 by agitators further making the most important highway of the state virtually inaccessible. Amidst the scarcity of various essential items in the state, fast depleting of Oxygen stock has led hospital to suspend providing crucial services to patients while exhaustion of petroleum products has forced transports organizations to suspend bus services in the state. With the fast depletion of stock of Oxygen in various hospital of the state due to the blockade at both the National Highways of the state, the hospitals has decided to suspend to provide various crucial service to the patients, Addressing media persons, the CMD of Shija Hospital which is the biggest private hospital and the only hospital where highly critical cases are being referred from other hospital, observed that the hospital is not in a position to take in new emergency patients requiring Intensive Care Unit and general anesthesia due to limited reserved Oxygen. The current Oxygen reserve of the hospital will be used exclusively for the currently admitted ICU patients and may reportedly last for only two weeks. Citing that the present grave political and social situation might not be settled in another 10 days, the CMD Dr. Palin further requested patient parties of ICU patients to find alternative treatment elsewhere. Unfortunately, other hospitals in the state including the RIMS, JN hospitals and other private hospitals are reportedly facing similar problems. The CMD also disclosed that the hospital might be closed down entirely as fuel in the hospital is running low hampering smooth functioning of hospital while the hospital has also stopped its ambulance service. The blockade at both the national highways which is considered the lifeline of the state is also severely impacting the transport service as the fuel stock in the service is about to run out of stock. Apart from closing of petrol pumps, fuel are also fast running out at black markets while few black marketers are doing brisk business with selling of petrol at a price of Rs 140 to Rs 160 per liter and HSD or Diesel for Rs 85 to Rs 100. In the present situation, the All Manipur Bus Owners Association has observed that the Association is compelled to suspend all bus services from May 10 in the state if the state government does not take up some immediate positive necessary arrangement in the interest of public passengers within May 9. Addressing a press meet, representatives of the Association also appeal to both the agitators on National Highway and state government to reach to an amicable solution considering the inconvenience of the people. The representatives of the Association has also reportedly sent memorandum to the chief minister and concerned minister in this regard. It may be mention that the Shija hospital is the largest consumer of medical gases and the hospital has been treating highly critical patients like head injuries, strokes, poly trauma, GI bleeding while 70% of the mass causalities like ISCKON bomb blast and Ragailong bomb blast were treated at the hospital. The closure of the hospital might prove to be a serious setback to the state. On the other hand, the suspension of bus service as resolved by the All Manipur Bus Owners Association will severely affect the transportation of passenger in the state.

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