Kohima, Jan 23 (PTI) Protesting the government’s decision to mandatorily vaccinate citizens against the covid-19 virus, `The Watchman" in collaboration with Awaken India Movement (AIM) today held a “Freedom Rally” in Kohima. Converging at the Old MLA Hostel junction, participants from different churches, civil societies and political parties demonstrated holding banners and placards which read “Freedom is God’s gift… Don’t deny it”, “Stop medical tyranny”, “Vaccine should be an individual"s choice”, “Don’t deprive our right” and “We trust justice, we don’t trust force”. The rally was being held in solidarity with the ‘Freedom Rally’ being held across the globe on the same day to create awareness against forced vaccination, said Rev Azahto Kiba, Pastor of New Life Church, Kohima, one of the organizers. He said the Watchman, formed in December 2021 is a body of like-minded people fighting for the rights of discriminated people. After the rally, a memorandum was submitted to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio which said “vaccination is a choice and should not be forced upon anyone” while also demanding revocation or roll back of all existing orders and notifications making vaccination mandatory for adults as well as children in the State. “We are extremely aggrieved with the existing policies of the Government making vaccination mandatory for adults as well as children and discriminating against unvaccinated persons,” the memorandum signed by four of the organizers - Convenor of The Watchman Pastor Khi Peter, Advocate Neiteo Koza, Rev Azahto Kiba and Pastor Kevisede Kire - said. “The Central Government during the course of hearing a matter before the Supreme Court on vaccination stated that vaccination has not been made mandatory and that vaccination is voluntary,” they reminded the Chief Minister. They therefore requested the Chief Minister to revoke all existing orders and notifications on vaccine mandates and also provide mechanism for reporting Adverse Event Following Immunization and to conduct clinical studies of the same. They sought an end to demanding vaccination certificates for travelling, attending schools and colleges, markets, show rooms, public gatherings, churches, offices etc.. The rally was also supported by the latest political party in Nagaland - `Rising People’s Party" - and Naga Students’ Federation, an apex body of Naga students and youth from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. PTI NBS JRC JRC