Bodies condemn Silent village arson
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 05 2013:
Tribal Youth Council, Manipur (TYCM) and Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal (TKLI) have said Sunday the two tribal bodies are extremely shocked to learn the turn of event of May 3 that occurred in the Tangkhul Naga village of Silent when more than 36 houses were set ablaze and plundered by hundreds of people from its nieghbouring Seijan village.
A group of people numbering about 1000 from the village of Seijan which falls under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East attacked against the village of Silent under Saikul constituency in Senapati district of Manipur on May 3 morning and torched more than 36 houses including granaries, a vehicle, a rice mill, pigs and Rs 3 lakh in the Tangkhul Naga village, according to TYCM and TKLI.
On Sunday, strongly condemning the incident, TYCM and TKLI termed the incident as a 'criminal act' and said that the 1000 strong Seijan villagers went on the rampage attacking Silent village with dangerous weapons and destroying the houses and properties.
"It will not be a mistake to state here that the attack against the Silent village by Seijan villagers and their cohorts was a premeditated act to cause physical harm and destruction which is not acceptable by any human standard," they accused, adding it is unfortunate to learn that such barbaric tactics were being resorted to create discord between the long time neighbouring villages.
TYCM and TKLI also questioned the logic and rationale of settling land dispute by setting the village on fire while the case between the parties is under the judicial process, they added.
The tribal bodies also said they are dismayed at the slow and lackadaisical response of the law enforcement agencies of the Manipur Government over the incident.
It is regrettable that poor villagers have been displaced from their homes after the arson attack which was an unreasonable act of violence and shortsightedness of those perpetrators who went berserk forgetting the negative fallout for the future relationship between communities, they said.
Such incident has the potential of fomenting communal disharmony and clash if not taken proper preventive measures by the concerned authorities at the right time, they warned.
The Government of Manipur is reminded that tribal land/areas be kept out of the touch of non-tribal as per the Constitution of India, TYCM and TKLI said while adding "We demand that the land dispute between the two conflicting villages be immediately resolved by the Government of Manipur without further delay so that peaceful atmosphere is restored in the vicinity of the villages" .
"We demand that those perpetrators of violence be brought to justice and normalcy be immediately restored to the Silent villagers who have been victimized and traumatised in their own homes and land," they added.