The Joint Tribe Council (JTC), a conglomeration of Zeme Naga Council, Manipur (ZNC-M), Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M), Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur (RNC-M) and Inpui Union, Manipur (IUM), said on Tuesday that the burning down of a house belonging to a Liangmai Naga at Leimakhong on the late night of June 18 was an “orchestrated attack perpetrated by the Kukis”.
While strongly condemning the incident in the strongest terms, the tribe bodies of Rongmei, Liangmai, Inpui and Zeme said that this violent incident targeting the Nagas at Leimakhong despite the tag “Naga House” pasted on the respective gates was a direct threat to “our principle of neutrality over the prevailing situation in the state”.
The JTC said in a statement made available to Newmai News Network said, “To our utter shock and dismay, that targeted violent incident of torching houses had happened in front of the main Gate of 57th Mountain Division, Army Headquarters, Leimakhong, where hundreds of thousands of military and central forces were stationed there”.
Unfortunately, this army and central forces remained mute spectators to the orchestrated attack perpetrated by the Kukis, the JTC also said.
“Now, it is a matter of concern that even in the heavy presence or deployment of military and central forces, if our lives and properties are not safe, then to whom shall we trust upon is a million dollar question,” it added.
The JTC then said it was convinced that the “behaviour of Kukis showing scant regards to the Nagas’ neutral stand by engaging willfully in wanton harassment meted out to the Nagas is not a sign of a neighbour who intends to live in harmony with the people who have provided them shelter.
“This orchestrated attack perpetrated by the Kukis on the Nagas has led the Nagas to conclude that the mutual respect and peaceful coexistence that we anticipated from the Kukis has proven to be wrong,” the JTC also said.
The JTC then said it is a considered opinion of the Nagas that Kukis have crossed the limit and going against the spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in the state.
“It may be noted that our restrains and neutrality on the prevailing situation in the state should not be construed as our weakness. If the Kukis do not mend their ways, we will not remain mute spectators to what is happening in our areas,” the JTC cautioned.
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