1

BACKGROUND NOTE AND SITUATION UPDATE

Numbering 4 million in population and with more than 50 different tribes, the Nagas are a transnational indigenous peoples inhabiting contiguous parts of north-east India and north-west Burma. The Nagas were arbitrarily divided between the two countries during the colonial transfer of power from Great Britain in 1947. In the absence of democratic mechanisms and platforms to address their demands, Nagas residing in the federal units of north-east India (present day Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur) and Burma (Kachin state and Sagaing division) forged a pan-Naga homeland, Nagalim, transcending modern state boundaries in order to assert their political identity and aspirations as a nation.

Naga areas in the newly created Indian state remained within the province of Assam. However, the experience of division continued for the Nagas with the carving out of the state of Nagaland from Assam in 1963. The reorganisation of states in North-East India in the early 70s further divided and bracketed the Nagas into separate administrative units as minorities within the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. In Manipur, four districts (Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong, & Ukhrul) making up more than half the total size of the state are Naga districts (See Map 1 & Map 2).

After 50 years of war and bloodshed, the Government of India (GOI) and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) entered into a ceasefire in 1997 to hold a peace dialogue towards an honourable solution to the long drawn out Indo-Naga political issue. The negotiations include the recognition of the right to the political integration of Nagas living in contiguous areas within India. Nagas have honoured the ceasefire agreement for the last 13 years with the conviction that a peaceful and a just settlement to the 7 decades old conflict are possible through a peaceful political dialogue instead of bloodshed.

As part of an ongoing process of building trust, the GOI consented to the proposed visit of Mr. Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim to visit South Nagalim (consisting of the four districts in present day Manipur state) in the last round of talks held in Delhi during April 2010. On 29 April, 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, sent a wireless message to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of the Governments of Manipur, West Bengal and Nagaland, vide SECRET/CRASH NO. VI-23014/28/2010-VS to arrange foolproof security for Th. Muivah. (See Annexure 1).

Mr. Th. Muivah was to go to Somdal village, his birthplace after almost five decades, and to Ukhrul and Senapati. (See Map 3)

On 1 May, 2010, hundreds of Manipur State Police Commandos (MSPC, a police force raised especially for counter insurgency operations), Manipur Indian Reserved Battalion (MIRB, a para-military force of the State) and other armed forces personnel were deployed on the roads that link Nagaland State to Manipur State. Extra Police Commandos and IRBs were also deployed in other parts of Ukhrul and Senapati Districts, including the district headquarters.

Map of India with Manipur and Nagaland indicated.

4th May 2010: A team of women activists from New Delhi negotiating with Manipur security personnel blocking the road into Manipur. The security forces permitted no thoroughfare of

any individuals or vehicles. An armoured truck can be seen parked in sideways in the middle of the road in the background. Civilian houses can also be seen. (Photo: NPMHR)

STATE GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR IN INDIA VIOLATE RIGHTS OF NAGAS

2

In Mao Gate, the first entry point on National Highway 39 from Nagaland state into Manipur, almost a thousand (1000) strong Manipur security forces were stationed with war-like arsenals, armoured cars and water-cannon tanks. They also set up bunkers and dugouts within residential areas creating fear and panic among the population.

In Jessami, a village on National Highway 150, another entry point from Nagaland into Manipur, extra security forces numbering in the hundreds were deployed.

The same day, 1 May 2010, local newspapers reported that the Government of Manipur (GOM) has taken a Cabinet decision to ban Mr. Th. Muivah from undertaking the peace tour citing that it will cause “social unrest”.

A traditional welcome gate built by the local people of Mao Gate to welcome Mr. Th. Muivah was forcibly torn down by the Police Commandos and IRB personnel.

The posture, language and demeanour of the Manipur security forces became threatening and intimidating. Civilians fearful of police excesses began to vacate their houses in Mao Gate.

On 2 May 2010, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Indian Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) were issued and made effective from 5.00 pm along all areas in the stipulated route of Muivah’s visit, and in Ukhrul and Senapati towns as well. CrPC 144 gives sweeping powers to the District administration to impose a ban on public assembly, rallies, meetings, and any other act that can be deemed as a “nuisance and threat to public tranquility”. All vehicles entering National Highway 39 to Mao Gate from Nagaland were also blocked by placing armoured security vehicles in the middle of the road.

The Nagas in Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, and Chandel districts responded against the decision and actions of the GOM by holding public rallies, sit-ins and other forms of democratic protest, and to clearly voice their desire to have their leader visit them. Naga representatives to the Manipur Legislative Assembly also resigned in protest against the decision of the GOM and the actions of the Manipur security forces “which would sabotage Naga Peace process”.

7th May: Manipur Security forces continue to block the roads. (Photos AP Photo & NPMHRh)

4th May: (L) Public in Mao stage a sit in protest against the decision of the GOM, and the militarization of the area (NPMHR Archive); (R) In Ukhrul town, the public took out a rally against the decision of the GOM (Tenno Pheiray, TAC)

3

On the evening of 5 May 2010 around 6.30 P.M. Mr Ashihrii Puni, 52 years, a Mao Naga of Song Song village was brutally assaulted without any reason by some MIRB personnel. On 6 May 2010, the general public of the area organized a peaceful procession on National Highway 39 to protest against the assault, and the decision of the GOM banning Mr. Th. Muivah from coming to Naga areas in Manipur.

Without any provocation, the Manipur state’s security forces opened fired on the procession. Aside from firing live bullets, tear gas and stick bombs were used on the peace marchers. Two young students, Neli Chakho (20) and Dikho Loshuo (19), who were part of the procession were shot dead at point blank range and about 100 individuals, mostly women, sustained bullet and other injuries, some critical enough that they had to be admitted to Intensive Care Units. Despite the disbursal of the marchers, security forces continued to fire randomly at houses, hurling stick bombs, and tear gas for hours. They also destroyed properties, broke and entered houses picking men and herding them away while assaulting them with baton, rifle butts, kicks and punches.

5th May: Mr. Ashihrii Puni, the morning after he was assaulted. (NPMHR )

6th May 2010: (L) Public marching for peace and protesting against the actions of the MIRB and MSPC and the decision of the GOM minutes before they were fired upon. (NPMHR); (R) Manipur Police Commando personnel start firing upon the marchers (NPMHR)

6th May: 1. Manipur security forces continue to terrorise civilians in the aftermath of the shooting (AP Photo taken from Morung Express); 2. A young boy is taken away by Manipur security forces (AP Photo/ Anupam Nath); 3. Naga civilians arrested and taken to the security camps by Manipur security forces (AP Photo) 4. An injured women being carried away (NPMHR) 1

3

2 3

4

4

Presently more than 2000 villagers from around the area have fled and are internally displaced. More than 400 of them are presently taking shelter in Kisama Heritage Village in Nagaland. Despite the lapse of so may days, the GOM has not taken any steps to ensure their safe return, but instead is concentrating on sending in more security forces into the area.

Meanwhile, the GOM continues to stand by its decision and a section of the Meetei majority community of Manipur have joined in, supporting the decision of the GOM. Their support is an endorsement of the militaristic actions of the GOM against the Nagas. It has resulted in further fracturing the tense relationship between the Nagas and the Meeteis.

THE DEAD AND THE INJURED: 1& 2 Bodies of Chakho and Loshou, both students in their 2nd year BA, and both from Kalinamai Village, Senapati Districts. They were shot dead at close range (Photo: ANSAM); 3, 4, 5 & 6: The injured being treated at a hospital in Nagaland (3. NPMHR; 4, 5 & 6 Unknown)

1 2

3

4

5 6

6th May: Mao villagers flee to Nagaland to escape the threats and terrorizing acts of the Manipur security forces. A mother, part of the fleeing group, carries her child (NPMHR )

5

The Naga people through its Naga civil societies have made many attempts and interventions to ease the situation, and importantly have invited the Meetei civil societies for dialogues so as to bring about better understanding and harmony between them. However, even these peaceful overtures and invitations have been turned down by the Meetei civil socieities, instead, a memorandum has been submitted to the Prime Minister of India saying that unless the “controversial visit of Th. Muivah to Manipur” is not cancelled latest by May 20, “the people would be left with no other choice but to resist the alleged evil design of the Centre with the hidden agenda of disintegrating Manipur, by launching peoples democratic movement with the declaration of 'public emergency' throughout the State of Manipur with effect from May 21”. A campaign is being launched by the Meetei civil societies; they have started particularly targeting Nagas, forcibly restricting their free movement and not allowing them to take food and other essential items to their homes in the hills, they have waylaid vehicles and destroyed properties. Cases of Nagas refusing to be sold goods by Meetei shopkeepers have cropped up in some areas. In all these, the GOM remains a mute spectator.

Such antagonism can only contribute to furthering divide and has the real potential to turn the already volatile situation into full blown communal confrontations.

Despite these serious developments, the GOI and its Ministry of Home Affairs have taken a wait-and-watch policy despite the fact that it was the GOI which consented to the visit of Mr. Th. Muivah to Naga areas in Manipur.

Nagas in different parts of the India have also made fervent appeals to the GOI to honour the peace process and bring about an early solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue. They continue to voice their overwhelming desire for peace and for recognition and respect of their right to decide their own future.

Meanwhile the assault on the rights of Nagas by the Manipur security forces continue. On 24th May 2010, many Naga villagers on their way home from a candle light vigil and peace rally were waylaid by MIRB personnel posted at Taphou. All the MIRB persons were in an inebriated state and particularly targeted the villagers of the basis of their ethnic background. The villagers were asked if they were Nagas and on its confirmation, they were physically assaulted with rifle butts, punches and kicks. At least, two of them sustained serious injuries. Some were humiliated by forcing them to strip. The MIRB personnel also looted money and other belongings of the Naga villagers.

We truly respect the rights and liberties of all other people/communities and it is only fair to expect the same from them.

Nagas in different parts of the country—Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Guwahati, Shillong—continue to voice their desire for peace (1. Unknown 2. The Other Media/Imaiyan 3. NPMHR)

1 2 3

6

Map 1: Hill Districts of Manipur (Map not to scale) (Source: Territorial Rights of Outer Manipur Tribals, 2000, All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur)

There are nine districts in Manipur – Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal-East, Imphal-West, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, & Ukhrul. Out of this, five of them—Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul—are hill districts and generally settled by different tribes. Excepting Churachandpur, the majority in the remaining districts are Nagas.

In the map above , the shaded area constitutes the total area of Bishnupur, Imphal-East, Imphal-West, and Thoubal districts combined. It makes up just 2071.44 sq. km. out of the total of 22327 sq. km. It is within this small area that the Meeteis are opposing Muivah’s visit to Naga areas.

In the tourist map below, all the districts of Manipur are shown.

Map 2: Tourist Map of Manipur

7

Map 3: Combined Map of Nagaland and Manipur States with Proposed route of Muivah marked

Route of Muivah for his National Peace Tour marked in red

The wireless message issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to the State governments of West Bengal, Nagaland and Manipur shows that on 3rd May Mr. Muivah was to leave Hebron for Somdal passing through Dimapur-Kohima-Mao-Maram-Koitai-Purul-Shirong-Lakhamai-Phaibung-Homei-Tolloi. He was to hold there till 7th May.

On 8th May he was to come to Ukhrul for a public meeting and return to Somdal again.

On 10th May he was to leave Somdal for Maram and go to Senapati via Tadubi for a public meeting after which he was to leave for Hebron the same day.

All these areas are Naga areas.

8

ANNEXURE

9