Anthony Shimray Begins Three-Day Hunger Strike in Tihar Jail

“Release All Political Prisoners, No More Killing and Random Arrests”

IN SOLIDARITY with political prisoners of the Nagas, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) observed September 27, 2013 as “Black Day” here in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Human rights activists, Naga students, and supporters gathered to light candles in memory of Anthony Shing, also known as Ningkhan Shimray. Shimray was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 27, 2010, at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport while traveling from Bangkok to New Delhi.

According to the NPMHR, Shimray was en route to participate in the peace talks between the Government of India (GoI) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), scheduled for September 29, 2010. “Anthony is a key figure in the peace talks, having participated in at least seven rounds of discussions both within India and in third-party countries,” said an NPMHR spokesperson.

Initial investigations by a Nepalese human rights group revealed that Shimray had completed his Disembarkation Card and provided his hotel address. After clearing Nepal’s immigration without issue, he went missing. Five days later, under mounting pressure from national and international human rights organizations, the Indian government admitted to arresting him. On October 2, 2010, Anthony’s wife was informed via the NSCN secretariat in Delhi that he had been “picked up” at Kathmandu airport and transported to Patna by the NIA. Shimray has since been held in Tihar Central Jail No. 4, New Delhi, facing charges of procuring arms and waging war against India. He has now completed three years in detention.

The NPMHR criticized the circumstances surrounding Shimray’s disappearance and arrest, calling it a blatant violation of human rights. “His enforced disappearance and unlawful imprisonment undermine the peace process and violate the basic principles of human rights and democratic values,” they asserted.

From his prison cell, Anthony Shimray announced he would observe a three-day hunger strike from September 27 to 29, demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners to strengthen the fragile peace process, as well as an end to killings and arbitrary arrests.

In a letter from Tihar Jail, Shimray wrote, “Peace is essential, but it cannot be achieved through coercive policies, arrests, and suppression. Imprisonment and killings are incompatible with peaceful political negotiations. These actions mock the very essence of peace talks and betray the cause.”

Reflecting on his arrest, he added, “This infamous day September 27, 2010, when I was abducted at Kathmandu airport will forever be remembered as a ‘Black Day’ in the history of Indo-Naga peace talks. No country in the world kidnaps or imprisons a delegate attending peace negotiations. This incident has inflicted immense damage on the credibility of the Government of India and the peace process.”

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL
Special Correspondent
The MIZORAM POST | MANIPUR CHRONICLE | ZOGAM TODAY

 

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