Manipur violence will be discussed in West Bengal assembly
Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) and several other Naga organizations have strongly condemned the burning of a Naga house by suspected Kuki militants on June 18.
The house belonged to a Naga Akhoun Liangmai and was located at Leimakhong Chingmang in Imphal West.
On Wednesday, the Working Committee, UNC, Naga Women’s Union (NWU) and All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) visited the site and took stock of the situation.
Alleging that the incident took place under the nose of the state security forces, the UNC said it was shocked to learn that Liangmai’s house was set ablaze despite pasting a ‘Naga House’ tag on the wall. went. The UNC added that it was a planned attack.
Amid ongoing tension in the state, the incident has been termed by the UNC as a “provocative act” against the Naga community.
Earlier, the Naga apex body warned the two warring communities to desist from activities that aggravate the situation by involving other peaceful communities living in the conflict-hit state.
The UNC remarked, “The Naga people have been talking about peace and normalcy in the state, without taking sides, but it is very unfortunate that such incidents affecting the Nagas continue to happen frequently.”
“Silence is involved but our silence or neutrality should not be construed as weakness,” UNC said, adding that such heinous crime amounts to directly challenging the Nagas at large.
The UNC also highlighted the need to abandon hostilities and opt for peaceful negotiations to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
In another statement, ANSAM condemned the arson incident while expressing anger and displeasure against suspected Kuki militants who attacked without reason or provocation and in doing so undermined the gravity of the current situation.
The group also reminded that the Nagas have remained neutral and urged the warring factions to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation.
The group also expressed concern over attacks on the Naga community in Manipur.
ANSAM alleged that a Rongmei Naga church was set on fire, Tangkhul Naga women were attacked in broad daylight by an unruly mob, a Rongmei Naga woman was nearly beaten to death in her home in Tumnoupokpi village. , at Imphal the Zeliangrong boys were badly attacked, and three Nagas. ANSAM said medical workers from the Maring, Moyon and Anal Naga communities working at the Chandel District Hospital were beaten up while they were on their way to the hospital in Kakching Lamkhai.
According to ANSAM, the suspicion that Kuki militants were responsible for torching Liangmai’s house was strengthened during a spot inquiry in collaboration with UNC, NWU and Liangmai Naga Council.
The team was told that every house belonging to the Nagas in the Leimakhong area was tagged as ‘Naga House’ and yet it was burnt while the neighboring houses belonging to the Kuki community were left untouched.
Stating that the incident was murderous and horrifying, ANSAM strongly condemned the “deliberate burning and vandalism of Naga houses and doors” and urged the warring communities to avoid dragging the Nagas into ethnic conflict. do
“ANSAM will not be a silent observer if more Nagas are harmed,” he warned.
ANSAM also appeals to the concerned authorities to take strict action against the culprits as per the law of the land as soon as possible.
He further urged the central and state governments to act religiously to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
