Imphal, December 29 2009: Referring to the Nongbrang incident and reacting to the statement of the UCM published on December 25 and subsequent news report of December 27, the Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association (SAHILCA), Manipur, has raised a number of questions.

A press release issued by the SAHILCA asked the Nongbrang Thumkhong Lairembi Youth Club as to why they did not report to the nearest police station or security posts about the alleged atrocities by UGs, if there were any.

If the bandh was staged since early morning, why were the media and the police not informed, it questioned.

SAHILCA also asked how many Nongbrang villagers can speak and understand tribal dialect to conclude that the slain victims were talking to UG cadres, not their relatives.

Those who verified and confirmed that the call was made to UG cadres should be interrogated, it insisted.

"Why should the innocent victims possibly call for armed reinforcement if they were UG militants carrying arms shipment in that alleged two vehicles, when they could use the arms themselves to disperse the mob?", it posed.

The chiefs' body further questioned who authorised the UCM to conduct irresponsible and one-sided spot investigation without the presence of law enforcement agency.

"How could they over-rule the police and media reports regarding the incident?", it asked.

Nonetheless, SAHILCA asserted that peace, social harmony and friendly co-existence should be maintained at this trying times.