PRESS RELEASE
3 May 2010
Machiavellian strategists often remark that ‘a thinking population might be potentially dangerous for maintaining status quo’. The siege of the Mao pass or the Mao-gate which began with the destruction of the traditional Naga welcome gate for Th. Muivah by the Manipur state’s security forces. It has now entered the second day with increasing restriction of free public movement and open display of militaristic designs through stationing of more than 500 restive personnel in combat gears moving around provoking a spell of insecurity and confusion for the residents.
The South Naga population who since time immemorial contiguously inhabits the four hill districts, in present Manipur state, along the southern border of the state of Nagaland, are once again peeved over the deliberate and misleading remark of Mr Yumnam Joykumer, the Director General of Police, Manipur, that Th.Muivah’s “visit might escalate further ethnic troubles in the mixed populated areas adjacent to Nagaland” thereby justifying the heavy occupation of peaceful civilian areas and laying siege with heavy military arsenals. The past misleading propaganda of certain vested interests trying to misinform the neighbouring communities and national media that ‘Nagas are not living in an exclusive ethnic space of their own’ has been put to use once again to sabotage the emerging semblance of peace in Naga areas.
Can the DGP explain which communities traditionally occupy land adjacent to Nagaland state borders and where are the mixed populated areas and what are the tensions that exist by welcoming home a native son of the soil? The systematic ploy to debar out national leaders to enter their own homestead where their umbilical cord remains grounded cannot be taken lightly anymore. This is the very reason why the struggle for dignity and self determination gained ground in the first place soaking the Naga homeland with blood, sweat and tears while resisting the crafty imposition of artificial identities on them. Today Nagas have vouched for peaceful settlement of the long standing Indo-Naga conflict. However, the forces that destroyed the past efforts are coming right out into the open to display the leech(y) nature which sustained their diabolic tendencies.
No borders are sacrosanct but God alone is. The Nagas are firm with their resolve that it will be the will of the people and not an imposed territorial notion that will determine their future. The Manipur state Cabinet’s resolution to sabotage Th.Muivah’s visit to Southern Naga region displays a total failure in upholding its constitutional responsibility, treacherously trampling over the voices of the people whom they seek and claim to govern.
The preamble of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognizes that “the inherent dignity and … equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world and that disregard and contempt for human rights resulted in barbarous acts.” The preamble goes on to warn that “…it is essential if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as the last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.” Article 21 of UDHR reaffirms, “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government”. Where a government ignores the will of the people and seeks to suppress the will of the people, it becomes a tyranny. As such it loses legitimacy by which it pretends to govern.
Its time for the dominant forces in the Manipur state machinery to re-evaluate where they stand. Any further hindrance in the way of justice and peace will be tantamount to denial of our basic human rights of space and identity. Further the Government of Manipur will solely be responsible for any eventuality that may be provoked by this unjustified denial and prolonged suppressed anger due to dehumanization of the people it pretends to govern.
“The only chain that a man can stand is the chain of hand in hand.”
(Black freedom song)
sd/-
Phamhring Sengul,
Convener, NPMHR South