KOHIMA: Several Naga civil society organisations have appealed to the Centre to release a senior NSCN (I-M) functionary, arrested by the National Investigation Agency in 2010, “as a goodwill gesture in the spirit of peace and understanding”.
In a joint representation addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the organisations have sought the immediate release of Ningkhan Shimray alias Anthony Shing, “head of foreign affairs” of NSCN(I-M) in “greater interest of peace and respect for his rights and dignity”.
A copy of the representation made by Naga Hoho, United Naga Council Manipur, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Women’s Union, Naga Students’ Federation, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, was received here on Thursday.
Shimray was arrested by NIA at the Indo-Nepal border in September 2010 on charges of illegal procurement and supply of arms, and has been in Tihar jail since.
The letter said Shimray, who participated in Naga peace talks on several occasions since the process began in 1997, was on his way to New Delhi after the NSCN-IM leadership invited him for peace parleys in the national capital. “But on the way to New Delhi, he was picked from Kathmandu International Airport on September 27, 2010 and later, it was revealed that Shimary was arrested by NIA on the allegation that he was there to procure arms to wage war,” the organisations said. (PTI)
