IMPHAL, April 17: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) concluded the Tahamzam leg of their “Remembering Oinam 1987 & Mao Gate 2010” today at Tahamzam, Senapati.A release of the NPMHR said hundreds of people gathered at the local Mini Stadium in remembrance of the victims of Oinam 1987 and Mao Gate 2010. It said today’s programme started with a two-minutes silence in remembrance of all the victims of atrocities and rights violation by Indian security forces.The Poumai Noutumai Me (Poumai Women’s Union) and Haoka Haozam performed different skits depicting the violation of rights that occurred in these incidents and the denial of justice for the victims.Joseph Lamkang, Da LEIVON’s, Hosannah, and Theithei Luithui and band entertained the crowd with their songs and music, the release added.Th. Ngulani, Ex-Chairman of Oinam village, a victim of torture during Operation Bluebird, gave accounts of the murders, brutalities and tortures perpetrated on the villagers. Samson Remei, President, United Naga Council, Adani David Choro, Ex-President, ANSAM, and Seth Shatsang, General Secretary, ANSAM also shared solidarity messages during the programme, the release added. It is worth remembering that many were murdered, hundreds were tortured and many women molested and raped by the Assam Rifles during Operation Bluebird. Despite the lapse of 24 years, the Guahati High Court is yet to give its final judgment on the petitions filed by the victims. In the Mao Gate incident of 6th May 2010 as well, Loshou and Chakho, two young students were killed and hundreds, including women, were injured in one of the most brutal inhuman acts committed by the security forces of Manipur. However, no action has been taken on the perpetrators till date.The programme also highlighted other similar incidents of human rights violations perpetrated on the Nagas including the torture and beheading of 12 Matikhru villagers in 1962, the rape of four teenagers on the church pulpit at Yankeli in 1971, the rape of Rose of Ngaprum (Kumram) in 1974, the burning alive of Rev. Pelesato Chase at Bible Hill, Phek, the rampage at Mokokchung in 1994, the unwarranted shelling and firing in Kohima in 1995 amongst others. The programmed called for a renewed effort toward getting justice and the need for working towards a secure future where such barbarity and cruelty is prevented.
