On Wednesday, the Naga community commemorated the 37th anniversary of Operation Bluebird at the Maram Union Secretariat Complex in Tahamzan, Senapati, Manipur. This somber occasion marked July 9, 1987-recognized as a dark day when a counter-insurgency operation by the Indian Army led to severe human rights violations in the region. The event was organized by the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and hosted by the Paomei Naha Union (PNU), drawing participation from various key Naga organizations, including the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), and several others.
Speakers at the event recounted the trauma of that fateful day when personnel from the Assam Rifles descended on Oinam village and over 30 nearby communities following an attack by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) on an Assam Rifles outpost, resulting in the deaths of nine soldiers and the looting of arms. The military’s response, dubbed Operation Bluebird, unleashed terror, leading to the reported deaths of 27 civilians, the rape of three women, and the torture of 340 villagers. Many faced arbitrary detention and widespread property destruction ensued, with 125 homes burnt, 172 dismantled, 10 churches desecrated, and six schools destroyed.
Neingulo Krome, secretary general of the NPMHR, characterized the operation as a “calculated and systemic assault on the civilian population.” He emphasized that the brutality of that day ignited the formation of the NPMHR, reflecting a demand for justice and a commitment to the dignity of the Naga people. Krome underscored that Operation Bluebird is not merely a historical military action but a deep-seated wound that continues to affect the community today. The operation, enforced under the stringent Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), has become emblematic of extrajudicial killings and impunity in India.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/37-years-on-nagas-remember-oinam-massacre-during-operation-bluebird/articleshow/122348882.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-07-10 02:02:00
