Naga Civil Society feels disappointed by AMUCO

Dimapur, May 14 (MExN): The Coordination Committee of Naga Civil Society organizations today met in Kohima in the backdrop of AMUCO’s expressed inability to meet the Naga frontals in a meeting scheduled to be held in Guwahati on May 13. It was later extended to May 14 acknowledging Manipur’s civil society frontals’ expressed difficulties and their need to have more time to prepare for the proposed meeting. The CCNCS comprise of the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students’ Federation, United Naga Council, Naga Women Union of Manipur, All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur and Tenyimia Women Organization.
“However, much to our disappointment, the magnanimous offer for talks, even in the face of so many opposition and criticism, in our deepest desire to give peaceful options a chance has been turned down on flimsy grounds of ‘prevailing situation’, which were some of the reasons for which the meeting was also called”, stated a press note from Neingulo Krome, Convenor; Kenyuseng Tep, Co-Convenor and Rosemary Dzuvichu, Member Secretary of the Coordination Committee.
The press note reminded that the Nagas had just buried the dead and are still nursing those injured while hundreds remain displaced. “Nevertheless, even in the face of these humiliations we have ‘walked extra miles’ to still invite people who are responsible for these tragedies, for a face-to-face discussion and to explore all possible options of finding some kind of an amicable solution, so as to restore normalcy for the sake of our people who deserve to live in peace and harmony, which were again turned down”, the press note lamented.
It was further pointed out that even in the past and more so in the recent years, including the June 18, 2001 “Manipur uprising” against the Ceasefire coverage “without territorial limit”, Meitei civil society refused to even respond to the Nagas’ invitation to have talks. Terming it as ‘unfortunate that Nagas have always been projected as the ‘bad guys’, the note stated that “perhaps our enthusiasms to have peace at any cost, despite all kinds of provocation are being thoroughly misunderstood”.
Therefore, the Coordination Committee has placed upon the Government of Manipur and the people who are responsible for the present state of affairs to immediately withdraw all the Manipur Police, Commandoes and Manipur IRBs stationed in the Hill District of Manipur besides withdrawing all restrictions of movement of the Naga people including that of the General Secretary of the NSCN/GPRN. It was further resolved, that Naga people will not be responsible for any turn of events or eventualities “as all our peace-overtures are rejected and dishonored”.