The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) on Thursday condemned the Kwakeithel incident and vowed to settle the issue through prevailing customary law and practice of the Tangkhul community.
TNL announced that it will not negotiate with any organisation or body regarding the incident. However, TNL may give room for consideration if the perpetrators behind the act and their families personally apologise for their acts, said TNL president David K Shimray.
TNL also rejected and condemned the press note issued by AK Jhalajit Singh (IPS) in charge of Central Control Room, 1st MR Banquet Hall, Manipur on Wednesday in connection with the incident in which four Tangkhul women were allegedly assaulted by a mob at Kwakeithel near Asian Hospital, Imphal West on Wednesday.
It may be recalled that in a press conference at Manipur Press Club on Wednesday, COCOMI said that the whole incident was a case of mistaken identity and not an attack against the Naga community, especially the Tangkhuls.
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“One of the victims shot dead by Kuki militants on Wednesday was admitted at Asian Hospital, Kwakeithel; the victim passed away and the incident occurred when members of the bereaved family along with locals started protesting by blocking Kwakeithel-Tiddim Road in front of the hospital,” COCOMI media coordinator Khuraijam Athoiba said.
He said that the four Tangkhul girls were on their way to the Airport when they were dragged out of the auto vehicle and mistaken for another community. He further extended apologies on behalf of the whole community and appealed to the people not to add fuel to the already tense situation in Manipur.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) issued a strong condemnation against the incident.
While Naga Civil Society Organisations are constantly appealing for restoration of peace and normalcy in the state, worsening of law and order situation in Manipur in spite of the promulgation of 355 and frequent occurrence of arson, killing and harassment at sporadic places speaks volumes that the 'Rule of Law' is at a low ebb, UNC stated in a release.
The ugly episode occurred in broad daylight at Kwakeithel bazar while security personnels on duty dressed in dark green uniform remained a mute spectator, UNC alleged.
The UNC further condemned an organisation for “dragging the name of the UNC in a press briefing in the aftermath of the incident without the knowledge and consent of the Council.”
Taking the name of any organisation without the former's knowledge is a serious crime, the UNC stated. Henceforth, the person(s) involved is advised not to repeat such reckless mistakes in the future, it stated.
Meanwhile, in-charge of Central Control Room, Ak Jhalajit Singh, issued a release, stating that the press note dated May 24 was prepared after an irate mob vandalised vehicles and public properties as a result of death of a civilian from an incident of firing at Thamnapokpi, Bishnupur District at Asian Hospital, Kwakeithel Imphal.
Before realising that the four Tangkhul girls were assaulted by the mob, the information was spread like wildfire in social media and the Central Control Room had prepared a rebuttal press note by taking it as a rumour, it mentioned.
However, on further verification of the incident, the press note was never officially issued, it stated. The Central Control Room regrets and will be more careful while preparing any such sensitive press note in the future, it added.
