Tingplik Express

Dimapur, May 19 (TEN): Even as Dimapur city came to a complete standstill, around four thousand people from and around Chumukedima resolutely undertook a peace rally in the town from 8 am this morning in protest against the recent spurt of violence in the town and its
neighboring villages. Citizens, students, women, elders and even non-local communities partook in the rally which strongly denounced the factional clashes and killings.
Chumukedima town and its nearby areas has been going through a difficult and tense phase due to the presence of warring Naga underground cadres from rival factions which has resulted in factional clashes claiming a series of human lives. Students have been the most affected ones with the two incidents of heavy factional fighting occurring near schools in the 7th Mile area and the latest one, on May 16 morning, near Patkai Christian College.
“Vacate civilian area”, fight for peace”, “For education peaceful atmosphere required”, Chumukedima desires peace” were some of the placards held up by the participants of the rally. The participants undertook a march from the 7th Mile area till the Patkai Bridge from where they returned and held a programe.
The Chumukedima Town Council, Chumukedima Commerce and Trade Union, Chumukedima Tribal Union and the Chumukedima Students’ Union along with the public have resolved that in the event of any untoward incident in the future, they would not extend cooperation to the erring faction. Today’s peace rally, organized by the Chumukedima Students’ Union and the Chumukedima Tribal Union, categorically made clear that Chumukedima is not a ‘battlefield’. “We are not supporting any faction or against it, but Chumukedima town is not a battlefield,” said a student leader. A concerned citizen said that the peace rally is not only for factional fights but also against “anti-social elements in the neighboring villages.” The citizen asserted that Chumukedima and its neighboring village area are not battlegrounds. He said that since April 22, the town has been tense in fear of factional fighting. The citizen appealed all the factions to show restraint for the inetrest fo the people.
Saying that the entire people of Nagaland are crying for peace, he reminded that factional antagonism is not a traditional and customary practice of the people. “We are all brothers and sisters, we should co-exist in unity.”
A women speaker from the Chumukedima Christian Women Fellowship affirmed that the factional fights, which are affecting the students, are spoiling a whole generation. She lamented that on May 10, on the eve of Mothers Day, the womenfolk carried out a torch rally against the factional violence; yet the faction continued with their gunfight. In this regard, she said that it indicates that the cadres are ones who do not listen to their mothers. “If you want to fight, go to the jungle and fight,” why come to the school and public areas,’ she added.
Various other speakers also spoke during the programme. It may be noted that Dimapur city, especially the Chumukedima town area has been under a lot of tension of late, with presence of armed cadres and incidents of factional clashes which have claimed many lives. The Congress party had also called and enforced a total bandh today in Dimapur. The Joint Forum of GBs/DBs is organizing a “Peace March” in all district headquarters in Nagaland on May 20.

Nagas to march for Peace today

Dimapur/Kohima May 19 (TEN): Continuing on with its objective to bringing an end to factional clashes and killings in the state, the joint forum of GBs/DBs, supported by other civil societies, will be carrying out a peace march in all the district headquarters on May 20 from 9 am.
The decision to carry out the peace march, which will mainly highlight the desire of the people of Nagaland for peace, was resolved at a meeting held in Dimapur on May 5 by the joint forum of GBs/DBs consisting of representatives from all districts of the state and representatives of the Naga Hoho, NBCC and other civil organizations.
The march would also appeal to all factions to stop factional killings/confrontations and to ensure that the land is free of extortion, kidnappings and abductions and make it free of violence where every citizen can feel safe and secure.
It may be recalled that there have been peace rallies of all forms in various districts in recent years but perhaps this is the first time that it is being held simultaneously in all districts. The state government in line with its policy to be a facilitator in the peace process has welcomed this initiative and has asked DCs of the districts to extend support in this regard. Even Home Minister, Imkong L Imchen, on May 11 has supported the peace march and urged the people to participate in it. He assured to take part in it as well.
Meanwhile at Dimapur, the district GBs and DBs joint forum is organizing the peace rally on May 20. The forum has requested the public to reach City Tower junction by 8:00 AM. The peace rally will march from City Tower to DDSC Stadium where a brief address on the peace rally will be delivered by convener Taku Longkumer. Other highlights of the programme will be music by Reformation Bible College, speeches by DC Dimapur, Maongwati Aier, the Naga Hoho, Naga Council, Naga Women Hoho, DNSU among others.
In the state capital, the rally will gather at the old MLA Hostel junction and take out a symbolic march to TCP gate and then return to the local ground where representatives of various NGOs, civil society and Deputy Commissioner will address the rally. It was also learnt that the organizer had assured the district administration that the rally will try not disturbs vehicular traffic and also normal business activities.
The peace rally to be carried out on Tuesday will not affect the business establishments or the normal daily affairs of life, according to the Joint Forum of GBs & DBs Convener, A Taku Longkumer.
However, the schools will be more or less affected since the Naga Students Federation has directed the students studying in classes VIII and above to participate in the peace march.
Endorsing the participation of students, the Convener of the Joint forum said that the students should participate in the peace march since it is the responsibility of all the Nagas to bring and o bloodshed at the earliest, otherwise the present trend if it continues, would result in a civil war in the Naga society.
However, Longkumer said that it would be left to the business community whether they would like to join in the march, since the Joint Forum cannot force anyone to join in the peace march.
Interestingly, it is learnt that no politicians has been invited to join in the peace march, though the Forum has not discouraged not banned their participation.
“We don’t want to make it (the peace rally) into a political rally,” said a Gaon Bora, “However, if they (politicians) can also join in, then that well and good.”