Written by N. Rong
(A humble tribute to civilians who were killed in the Operation Bluebird)
Operation Bluebird wreaked havoc the hills
The serene hills of Oinam was shaken
The terror was unleash and horror haunt
Draped with shawls men carry in tears
Shoulders to shoulders, step by step
Struggled through the slippery paths
From thick jungles dared the fall
They carry the lifeless bodies
Home they brought their comrades
Children cried, wives wept
Villagers and comrades deeply mourned
With full honour in best tradition
With deepest loss, they bury you
You names remain
Beyond graves, you live on
Leaving behind the legacy
The legacy of supreme sacrifice
The legacy of heroic endurance
The legacy of courage and love
You have given your best
The best for the rest of your people
You remain an epitome of Inspiration
Yesterday you laid down your lives
For our better today and Tomorrow
To you! We give our respect
To You! We give our honour
To You! We pay our tribute
You are fondly remembered
Always!
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
In Remembrance of 9th July 1987
[caption id="attachment_12172" align="alignright" width="230"]
Floral tributes paid during the 25 years observation and tears yet to dry. File photo of July 9, 2012.[/caption]
9th July is remarkable, unforgettable and extraordinary day for Onaeme (people of Oinam Hill village), the victims and people who have been associated in one way or the other with the infamous Operation Bluebird. The 9th July is being observed solemnly by the Onaeme as “Onae Reh Dah- Great Battle of Oinam,” ‘a day of prayer’ paying tribute to the fallen martyrs, in retrospection of the painful past and anticipation of future that is hopeful. On this fateful day, the 21st Assam Rifles Outpost at Oinam Hill village was attacked and ransacked by the Naga Underground (NSCN) in the year 1987, killing nine soldiers injuring three and snatched way huge arms and ammunition. In retaliation to that, a counter insurgency code name Operation Bluebird was launched on 11th July, 1987. The operation was conducted under the command of General PL Kukrety, General Officer in Command (GOC), Manipur Sector. During the course of operation gross human rights violations were committed. There was terror and horror that have changed the lives of the people forever. The Naga People Movement for Human Rights filed Court case against the 21st Assam Files in Guwahati High Court on eight specific human rights violations (a) deaths of 27 persons during Operation Bluebird (b) rape and sexual harassment (c) torture of 300 persons (d) illegal arrests and detention (e) burning and dismantling of more than 100 homes (f) dismantling of schools and churches (g) looting of property (h) forced labour. After long legal battle, the judgement was never given. It is believed that the Government deliberately denied justice by delaying it. Nandita Haksar and Sabastian M Hongray concluded their book, “The Judgement That Never Came: Army Rule in North East India by asking, “Who will give the judgement? Will there be a judgement at all?” The hope for final judgement is still a farfetched dream. Many witnesses have died. Judges and lawyers were retired. Nevertheless, the agonies of the people can never be forgotten. The court may never give a judgement, however, the pains, sufferings, torments and the terrifying moments that people have gone through cannot be buried with the denial of court judgement.
The village is known for its ingenious traditional earthen pot making called Pouli (in Poumai Language) and Oraela (in Onaeme language). The traditional earthen pot making was been practised before the dispersal of Naga tribes in Makhre (Makhel), a place where many Naga tribes are believed to be sojourned before final dispersal to their respective territories. Onaeme, in a sense is very prominent in term of its contribution in the field of social, economy and religion among the Poumai tribe and beyond, as earthen wares were used not only for cooking and kitchen purposes but have rich rituals and religious significance. The production and trading of earthen wares suggest the self reliant nature of its economy.
The area surrounding the Oinam Hill village, around forty villages suffered the brunt of Operation Bluebird. The whole area were sealed off, movement both vehicular and human were restricted. Press were denied access. Public leaders were detained and tortured. Medical supply/services were cut off. Village schools were closed down. Village grounds became concentration camps. Churches became concentration camps. Every going out and coming in were vigilantly monitored even after the operation was officially over.
The army stopped even the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Senapati to visit the affected villages. There was a case of Army person searching the Sub-Divisional Office at Paomata in the absence of the officer and took away official seal. There was also a report of Manipur State Forces and Assam Rifles came to confrontation at Imphal, when the later forcibly brought the villagers to carry out rally at Imphal. Even, the Chief of Manipur wrote Memorandum to Prime Minister of India to intervene and save the innocent civilians; however, there was no much affect to that regard. The Memorandum also demanded judicial inquiry to the incident, but, that was never done till date.
The bestiality of the supposed to be disciplined armed forces were exhibited beyond limit. Our generation read stories and saw movies of the Nazi Camps, and we have witnessed in our own eyes the brutalities of 21 Assam Rifles during Operation Bluebird that terrorized the innocent civilians beyond human imagination. The rogues Army, from officers to the lowest soldiers have been wantonly indulged in most unethical actions.
The villages were turned into theatres of war. A war was waged by the sophisticatedly armed Forces upon the unarmed innocent civilians, where the later were randomly picked, kicked, beaten, thrashed and later on killed labelling that they were killed in encounters. The villages were turned to prisons. The people became prisoners in their own homes. War was supposed to be fought between the groups who were equally armed in a battlefield. However, in the case of Operation Bluebird, the unarmed civilians were trampled upon the by the armed forces.
In the FIR (First Hand Report) filed by the Assam Rifles, those civilians who were shot dead by the 21 AR were alleged as the undergrounds killed in encounters. Those were clear cases of fake encounters to cover up the misdeeds of the Assam Rifles. Those are the cases of extra judicial killings. The whole village will testify that those village leaders killed during the Operation Bluebird were never undergrounds, they were innocent civilians who were tortured to the highest degree, dragged to the jungle and shot by the army. It was a triple assault to those fallen martyrs. Firstly, by systematically torturing them robbing off their dignity, secondly by putting their physical bodies to dead after severest torture and thirdly, by labelling them as undergrounds. In their dead, the village and families lost their most precious treasure chest which nothing on earth can replace them. The claim that they were killed in encounters was totally baseless, as the whole villagers saw them taken away by the Jawans even while they (those killed) could not walk properly as they were been systematically tortured. Instead of fighting with the insurgents, the innocent civilians were shot with sophisticated weapons. What a sad tragedy.
Though, martyrs (those killed) were no longer with us and 27 years have passed, we proclaim to the world that they were mere civilians and not as claimed by the armed forces in the law court just to protect its misdeeds. Though, they no longer can speak for themselves, we will continue to speak the truth while we continue to pay our tribute and respect for their supreme sacrifice. In their dead they remain immortal in the history before the world in the case of ‘human rights violation’ committed by armed forces upon the civilians. In their death, they have died for their land and people. In their dead they have exhibited the courage. Every generation that heard the story will condemn the acts of ‘terror’ and ‘atrocities’ committed during the Operation Bluebird.
The men, women and children, all suffered during the Operation Bluebird. Men folks were detained in dingy makeshifts dungeon subjected to third degree torture, many of the victims later died due to the injuries. Many survivors suffer from health complicacies. Women were harassed, assaulted, molested and abused. Sexually harassed and raped, disrobing the chastity and dignity of women. Children were not spared; they were made to sit in rain and scorching heat in open grounds for months together without midday meal. People were terrified. The act of terror had left the people psychologically and mentally disturbed till to this day. One of the victims shared that he never wants to go to town and see the army people. He fears seeing the army personnel. He says, he just wants to confine in the village without the noise of vehicle and where there is no army personnel. Many old people who were badly tortured are dying away day by day. The children who witnessed the most horrifying incident in life are grown up now. The memories are afresh and still very much alive.
The villagers were forced to carry rations from one army outpost to the other in rain and sun. From the construction of new army outpost to the carrying of rations, the villagers were used forcibly. The villagers could not tend cattle and attend the fields. Cattles were let loose, thus the paddy fields and vegetable gardens were destroyed by the cattle. As a result the economic lives of the people were badly affected in many villages. This was substantiated by the Church Tithe records during that particular year, which indicated the very low return comparing to previous years. The armed forces also took away shawls, chickens and other materials in guise of searching captured arms.
Team of courageous activists, lawyers, student leaders stood for the villagers at that point of time, filing cases and fighting in the law court on behalf of the victims and the willingness and courage of the victims to give their testimonies have made the incident a ‘unique’ struggle in the fight against army atrocities and ‘human rights violation’. The prominent organisations that supported the legal processes were PUDR, NPMHR, NSF, MBC, ANSAM, UNC, Churches et al. Many individuals, societies have extended moral and material help to the displaced villagers especially in Kohima, Nagaland were various displaced camps were operated to help the victims that flee from their villages. Indeed, it is overwhelming to witness the solidarities across tribes and communities. In a sense, the Oinam incident brought people together to stand against ‘human rights violation’ and atrocities, excesses committed by the armed forces. It had shown the path that in collectiveness and unity, the world can defeat the ‘brutalities and atrocities’ and help victims survive and overcome the darkest moment of history. It is the moral support and prayers from the well wishers, fellow Naga tribes and beyond that help the villagers cope with the losses and survive the nightmare. The massive support, solidarity, concern and compassion shown by courageous people to the victims and for the cause of justice have earned the moral victory over the case, though the legal battle is never seen the light of the day.
Written by N. Rong, Oinam Hill Village
Floral tributes paid during the 25 years observation and tears yet to dry. File photo of July 9, 2012.[/caption]9th July is remarkable, unforgettable and extraordinary day for Onaeme (people of Oinam Hill village), the victims and people who have been associated in one way or the other with the infamous Operation Bluebird. The 9th July is being observed solemnly by the Onaeme as “Onae Reh Dah- Great Battle of Oinam,” ‘a day of prayer’ paying tribute to the fallen martyrs, in retrospection of the painful past and anticipation of future that is hopeful. On this fateful day, the 21st Assam Rifles Outpost at Oinam Hill village was attacked and ransacked by the Naga Underground (NSCN) in the year 1987, killing nine soldiers injuring three and snatched way huge arms and ammunition. In retaliation to that, a counter insurgency code name Operation Bluebird was launched on 11th July, 1987. The operation was conducted under the command of General PL Kukrety, General Officer in Command (GOC), Manipur Sector. During the course of operation gross human rights violations were committed. There was terror and horror that have changed the lives of the people forever. The Naga People Movement for Human Rights filed Court case against the 21st Assam Files in Guwahati High Court on eight specific human rights violations (a) deaths of 27 persons during Operation Bluebird (b) rape and sexual harassment (c) torture of 300 persons (d) illegal arrests and detention (e) burning and dismantling of more than 100 homes (f) dismantling of schools and churches (g) looting of property (h) forced labour. After long legal battle, the judgement was never given. It is believed that the Government deliberately denied justice by delaying it. Nandita Haksar and Sabastian M Hongray concluded their book, “The Judgement That Never Came: Army Rule in North East India by asking, “Who will give the judgement? Will there be a judgement at all?” The hope for final judgement is still a farfetched dream. Many witnesses have died. Judges and lawyers were retired. Nevertheless, the agonies of the people can never be forgotten. The court may never give a judgement, however, the pains, sufferings, torments and the terrifying moments that people have gone through cannot be buried with the denial of court judgement.
The village is known for its ingenious traditional earthen pot making called Pouli (in Poumai Language) and Oraela (in Onaeme language). The traditional earthen pot making was been practised before the dispersal of Naga tribes in Makhre (Makhel), a place where many Naga tribes are believed to be sojourned before final dispersal to their respective territories. Onaeme, in a sense is very prominent in term of its contribution in the field of social, economy and religion among the Poumai tribe and beyond, as earthen wares were used not only for cooking and kitchen purposes but have rich rituals and religious significance. The production and trading of earthen wares suggest the self reliant nature of its economy.
The area surrounding the Oinam Hill village, around forty villages suffered the brunt of Operation Bluebird. The whole area were sealed off, movement both vehicular and human were restricted. Press were denied access. Public leaders were detained and tortured. Medical supply/services were cut off. Village schools were closed down. Village grounds became concentration camps. Churches became concentration camps. Every going out and coming in were vigilantly monitored even after the operation was officially over.
The army stopped even the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Senapati to visit the affected villages. There was a case of Army person searching the Sub-Divisional Office at Paomata in the absence of the officer and took away official seal. There was also a report of Manipur State Forces and Assam Rifles came to confrontation at Imphal, when the later forcibly brought the villagers to carry out rally at Imphal. Even, the Chief of Manipur wrote Memorandum to Prime Minister of India to intervene and save the innocent civilians; however, there was no much affect to that regard. The Memorandum also demanded judicial inquiry to the incident, but, that was never done till date.
The bestiality of the supposed to be disciplined armed forces were exhibited beyond limit. Our generation read stories and saw movies of the Nazi Camps, and we have witnessed in our own eyes the brutalities of 21 Assam Rifles during Operation Bluebird that terrorized the innocent civilians beyond human imagination. The rogues Army, from officers to the lowest soldiers have been wantonly indulged in most unethical actions.
The villages were turned into theatres of war. A war was waged by the sophisticatedly armed Forces upon the unarmed innocent civilians, where the later were randomly picked, kicked, beaten, thrashed and later on killed labelling that they were killed in encounters. The villages were turned to prisons. The people became prisoners in their own homes. War was supposed to be fought between the groups who were equally armed in a battlefield. However, in the case of Operation Bluebird, the unarmed civilians were trampled upon the by the armed forces.
In the FIR (First Hand Report) filed by the Assam Rifles, those civilians who were shot dead by the 21 AR were alleged as the undergrounds killed in encounters. Those were clear cases of fake encounters to cover up the misdeeds of the Assam Rifles. Those are the cases of extra judicial killings. The whole village will testify that those village leaders killed during the Operation Bluebird were never undergrounds, they were innocent civilians who were tortured to the highest degree, dragged to the jungle and shot by the army. It was a triple assault to those fallen martyrs. Firstly, by systematically torturing them robbing off their dignity, secondly by putting their physical bodies to dead after severest torture and thirdly, by labelling them as undergrounds. In their dead, the village and families lost their most precious treasure chest which nothing on earth can replace them. The claim that they were killed in encounters was totally baseless, as the whole villagers saw them taken away by the Jawans even while they (those killed) could not walk properly as they were been systematically tortured. Instead of fighting with the insurgents, the innocent civilians were shot with sophisticated weapons. What a sad tragedy.
Though, martyrs (those killed) were no longer with us and 27 years have passed, we proclaim to the world that they were mere civilians and not as claimed by the armed forces in the law court just to protect its misdeeds. Though, they no longer can speak for themselves, we will continue to speak the truth while we continue to pay our tribute and respect for their supreme sacrifice. In their dead they remain immortal in the history before the world in the case of ‘human rights violation’ committed by armed forces upon the civilians. In their death, they have died for their land and people. In their dead they have exhibited the courage. Every generation that heard the story will condemn the acts of ‘terror’ and ‘atrocities’ committed during the Operation Bluebird.
The men, women and children, all suffered during the Operation Bluebird. Men folks were detained in dingy makeshifts dungeon subjected to third degree torture, many of the victims later died due to the injuries. Many survivors suffer from health complicacies. Women were harassed, assaulted, molested and abused. Sexually harassed and raped, disrobing the chastity and dignity of women. Children were not spared; they were made to sit in rain and scorching heat in open grounds for months together without midday meal. People were terrified. The act of terror had left the people psychologically and mentally disturbed till to this day. One of the victims shared that he never wants to go to town and see the army people. He fears seeing the army personnel. He says, he just wants to confine in the village without the noise of vehicle and where there is no army personnel. Many old people who were badly tortured are dying away day by day. The children who witnessed the most horrifying incident in life are grown up now. The memories are afresh and still very much alive.
The villagers were forced to carry rations from one army outpost to the other in rain and sun. From the construction of new army outpost to the carrying of rations, the villagers were used forcibly. The villagers could not tend cattle and attend the fields. Cattles were let loose, thus the paddy fields and vegetable gardens were destroyed by the cattle. As a result the economic lives of the people were badly affected in many villages. This was substantiated by the Church Tithe records during that particular year, which indicated the very low return comparing to previous years. The armed forces also took away shawls, chickens and other materials in guise of searching captured arms.
Team of courageous activists, lawyers, student leaders stood for the villagers at that point of time, filing cases and fighting in the law court on behalf of the victims and the willingness and courage of the victims to give their testimonies have made the incident a ‘unique’ struggle in the fight against army atrocities and ‘human rights violation’. The prominent organisations that supported the legal processes were PUDR, NPMHR, NSF, MBC, ANSAM, UNC, Churches et al. Many individuals, societies have extended moral and material help to the displaced villagers especially in Kohima, Nagaland were various displaced camps were operated to help the victims that flee from their villages. Indeed, it is overwhelming to witness the solidarities across tribes and communities. In a sense, the Oinam incident brought people together to stand against ‘human rights violation’ and atrocities, excesses committed by the armed forces. It had shown the path that in collectiveness and unity, the world can defeat the ‘brutalities and atrocities’ and help victims survive and overcome the darkest moment of history. It is the moral support and prayers from the well wishers, fellow Naga tribes and beyond that help the villagers cope with the losses and survive the nightmare. The massive support, solidarity, concern and compassion shown by courageous people to the victims and for the cause of justice have earned the moral victory over the case, though the legal battle is never seen the light of the day.
Written by N. Rong, Oinam Hill Village
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