B'lore: Nagas hold candle light vigil in protest

Bangalore, May 12: The Nagas in Bangalore staged a sit-in protest and a candle light vigil on Tuesday, May 11, evening at M G Avenue, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. About 2000 Nagas from different parts of the city turned up for the protest, in spite of the rain.

The Naga Students" Union, Bangalore, (NSUB) organised the protest to condemn the barbaric attitude of the Manipur Government, whose armed forces, IRB and Commandos, killed two Naga students and left over 80 civilians seriously injured at Mao Gate on 6th May.

One of them killed was Nelichakho Mao, a student at St.Joseph's Evening College, Bangalorea and a bonafide member of NSUB.

Nagas in Bangalore left their works and hit the streets in the city with banners and placards, condemning the violence caused by the Government of Manipur. Rain poured down in the middle of the protest but the people didn't move an inch till the programme was over.

The candle light vigil began with invocation prayer by Caleb Kent, Secretary of NCFB, followed by welcoming note and public address by Aran A Chihui, Advisor NSUB. The crowd observed a few moment of silence in solidarity to remember the deceased and their bereaved families. Prof HK Reihe lead a special prayer for the Nagas back home.

Kewerhalo Lohe, a senior member of the Union, and E. Deenadayalan, a well wisher of Nagas from Other Communication Media, spoke at the event.

Kakugha Sema, President of the Union, read out the memorandum, appealing the Prime Minister of the country to take immediate action against the Government of Manipur and its arm forces for the brutal killing and injuring of the innocent Nagas.

The memorandum which was submitted to the PMO and a copy of which was sent to the President of India, Chairperson of UPA, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and Governor of Karnataka contained the following points-

1) Immediate withdrawal of Security Forces from Mao Gate and all Naga Hills districts and revoking CrPC Section144 wherever imposed.

2) Constitute a Judicial Enquiry into the incidents of firing on the 6th of May at Mao Gate.

3) Immediate dismissal of the Government of Mr. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur and imposition of President"s rule in Manipur.

4) Ensure that Th. Muivah, leader of NSCN resumes his journey to Manipur.

5) Adequate compensation to all injured victims and family members of the deceased.

The Union is also sending a letter to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Manipur condemning in unequivocal terms the blatant use of excessive force by Manipur State arm forces stationed at Mao Gate against Naga civilians and demanding immediate withdrawal of all the armed forces in Nagas inhabited areas and allow Th. Muivah to visit his birth place peacefully as directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The participants sang "God bless my Nagalim" and "We shall overcome" with lited candles in their hands. Neite kapfo, Advisor NSUB, thanked the gathering and Alan Shaiza pronounced the benediction.

OneIndia News