Imphal, Feb 14 NNN: The protests demanding the unconditional release of jailed NSCN-IM leader Anthony Shimray from Tihar jail were carried out in Ukhrul and Chandel today.
\nMore protest programmes have been lined up demanding the release of the NSCN leader.
\nMeanwhile, the Naga People\u2019s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Women Union under the aegis of \u2018Campaign for the unconditional release of Anthony\u2018 affirmed today that they will continue to protest as long as Anthony Shimray is not released from Tihar Jail.
\nAnthony Ningkhan Shimray is the head of \u2018foreign affairs\u2019, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), reportedly a key person in the Indo-Naga peace talk.
\n\u201cAnthony Ningkhan Shimray had participated in the peace talks as part of the negotiating team at least seven times in the past, including meetings in India and it is unacceptable that despite all these he was arrested while on his way to attend another round of peace talk at New Delhi,\u201d said Dr Gina Sangkham and Aram Pamei who are respectively secretary general of NPMHR and president of Naga Women Union.
\nThe two Naga leaders said they have been carrying out various forms of demonstration protesting his abduction and subsequent imprisonment as they believe that isolating him from the peace process is a pressure tactic of the Government of India to derail the peace talks.
\n\u201cWe ask the Government of India under such an atmosphere of suspicion and veiled penal threats how can we expect a solution to the Naga issue which would be mutually acceptable, honourable and long lasting?\u201d the NPMHR and Naga Women Union questioned.
\n They reaffirmed their support for Anthony Ningkhan Shimray and said they will continue to protest till he is unconditionally released. A sit in protest organized by Tangkhul women Assn. was held at Gandhi Chowk Phuleithang, Ukhrul today.
\nThe protesters are demanding safe release of NSCN (I\/M) foreign secy, Anthoni Ningkhal Simray. The NSCN (I\/M) leader was arrested from Bangkok in the year 2010 and since then his whereabouts are not known.The people of the area took part in the sit in protest.<\/p>\n\n