ANSAM urges

Source:

Imphal, July 16 2013: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has called upon the Naga people to observe the 8th death anniversary of Namthiurei Abonmei who lost his life on July 20, 2005 at the Irang River in Tamenglong district during the 52-day long ANSAM economic blockade.

ANSAM said that Abonmei died while “resisting domination of a struggling people by the State and its allies” .

The Naga students’ body will observe the day at ANSAM Martyr’s Park in Tamenglong on July 20 .

According to ANSAM, Namthiurei Abonmei upheld the struggle of a people and who stood for peace.

“In his death we lost a dynamic young soul who understood that peace is hard earned.

He is survived by his wife, 5 (five) children and a burning hope for the Naga people,” ANSAM said today.

“It may be recalled that June 2001 changed the meaning and discourse of peace in Manipur and it became to mean peace that is understood only by dominant people forgetting to embrace and include struggling peoples in its ambit.

They declared ‘There are no Nagas in Manipur state’ and protested against the extension of ceasefire in the Naga areas.

The unwarranted incidents that took place remain as bitter memories and have today come to unfortunately define relationships and solidarity too,” ANSAM stated.

According to the Naga students’ body, to add to the insult the Government of Manipur in accordance with the dominant group’s civil society and intellectuals officially declared June 18 as a State Holiday openly demonstrating its anti-Naga stand.

In protest, ANSAM launched an economic blockade on both the National Highways – 39 & 53 (now 2 & 37 respectively).

“The State Government instead of finding a way out chose to use force that called for leaders like Eno.

Namthiurei Abonmei to give up his life, to send the message that voices of Naga people and other marginalized communities of Manipur will not be silenced by the ‘powerful’ state and its allies,” the Naga students’ body stated.

“In memory of the sacrifice made by our beloved comrade, ANSAM appeals to all the Naga people and our comrades to observe a minute of silence at 9 am on July 20, 2013 to honour martyr Eno.Namthiurei Abonmei,” ANSAM appeals.

via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://necalling.com/ansam-urges/