TKLD protest turns violent, 3 injured
TSE/Aug 16:
Over 200 students and youths mostly hailing from Ukhrul staged a demonstration in front of the State Bhawan in New Delhi today afternoon demanding for immediate revocation of Sec 144 CrPc and withdrawal of the Indian Reserve Battalion and Commandos from Ukhrul district.
The youth terming the act of the State Government as a provocation that is rapidly pushing the Nags toward an open civil uprising, they warned that the act of the State Government would jeopardize the political environment. The protest was led by Tangkhul Katamnao Long Delhi (TKLD).
Shouting slogans and displaying placards, the youths accused state Chief Minister of playing communal politics. In a show of displeasure and anger, the youths burned effigy of the Chief Minister in front of the Bhawan.
As demonstrators demanded for an interface with the State Bhawan officials, they were told that the Residence Commissioner was not available and that the youths were told to submit their memorandum to the Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
Unsatisfied, the demonstrators intensified their stir and the protest turned violent. Delhi police thrashed the protesters and chased them as they ran for cover. One Delhi Police’s vehicle (bus) was damaged as protesters pelted stones on the window glass panes.
In the ensuing clash, three students were injured, one of them was taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital with serious injury on the head.
Meanwhile one student Yaorepam was arrested by the Police even as the protest died down. Initially the police denied arresting him.
After much pressure by the youths stating that Yaoreipam was arrested right in front of the media person present at the site, the police later told that he was caught for damaging the police bus window panes. The student protester is still in custody at the time of this reporting.
Speaking to The Sangai express, Lakpachui Siro the Delhi Convener of the demonstration reiterated that the general public in Ukhrul had demonstrated there is peace but still the IRBs and commandos were occupying the whole Ukhrul, after the incident of July 12. “If the Government continues to ignore the democratic voice of the people and does not immediately withdraw the illegal deployment of IRBs and Commandos, the Nagas would be left with no alternative but to rise up in open civil insurrection and drive them out by whatever means and the Government would be held solely responsible for whatever consequence that ensues”, said Lakpachui Siro.
Terming it an act of creating fear , tension and communal divide on the part of the State Government, Siro said “ We want a peaceful separation with the Manipuris” he told, “we do’nt want to co-exist, this is not only about me , but the whole Nagas, and this has been time and again demonstrated by the Naga public that we want a peaceful separation from Manipur” he added.
A statement issued by TKLD stated that the promulgation of Section 144 CrPC in Ukhrul is a staged invasion and prolongation of war-like situation at Ukhrul.
“The chronic hostility of the Government towards the hill tribes and the constant weakening of the constitutional provisions safeguarded for the hill people are absolutely unacceptable. The attempt of the Government is nothing but to usurp the right of the hill people and in particular the Naga’s right to free practice of customary law, ownership of land and civil autonomy”, said the President, TKLD, Mr. Phungshok Khonreiwoshi.
