ZCOs decry excesses of IM cadres
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02 2018:
Zeliangrong Civil Organizations namely Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) and Zeliangrong Students' Union have strongly condemned the NSCN (IM) for severely torturing members of the Village Authority of Luangreng village, namely Kadimiang Phaomei, Tinilung Panmei, Meiroulung, Kakhugang Phaomei, Gaiboulung Phaomei, Kadigampou, Jaitangai yesterday.
A press, release issued by the publicity cell of the Zeliangrong Civil Organisations today alleged that the said members were beaten black and blue on the charge that they allowed ZUF cadres to stay in the village.
It further claimed that the NSCN (IM) demanded the Village Authority to immediately bring a pig for their meal.
As pigs were not easily available in the village, the members of the Village Authority took some time while running here and there to find a pig and as such they came back late.
Without giving any chance and opportunity for the members to explain their delay as well as how the ZUF cadres' stayed in the village, the NSCN (IM) started beating the members mercilessly, it added.
It continued that on August 27, at around 1 am, about 10 cadres of NSCN (IM) came down to Khoupum and tortured Kaningdai Riamei and his family members at Tousemjang, Khoupum, after they barged through the main door of his house.
It is also learnt that the NSCN (IM) cadres pressed their guns on his head and harassed his wife and children.
Pointing out that the people of Khoupum areas and Luangreng village organized a public rally condemning the excessive acts of the NSCN (IM) cadres at Khoupum and at Luangreng village, it alleged that the torture of innocent public by NSCN (IM) cadres has now created fear psychosis in the mind of the people.
It conveyed that the NSCN (IM) should not blame the innocent Village Authority members and public for the presence of cadres of any underground outfits, including ZUF, in the village.
Since the cadres of the underground groups are wielding arms, no members of the Village Authority can turn away or decline any cadres of underground groups, including the NSCN (IM) cadres.
It reasoned that the action of the NSCN (IM) can aggravate the situation and added that the peaceful atmosphere of the area will be disturbed if any other groups resort to similar action when they find NSCN (IM) cadres staying in any of the villages.
The Zeliangrong people have suffered more than enough as many Zeliangrongs, including prominent leaders, were killed while pursuing the Naga political issue, be it at the hands of the Indian Army and security forces or due to different factional fightings, on the charge of brewing liquor, for imbibing the indigenous religion etc.
When the Central Government and Naga political groups, including NSCN (IM), signed the cease fire agreement, the Zeliangrong people breathed a sigh of relief thinking that peace and tranquillity will prevail in the land but as it stands today, the situation is developing in stark contrast to the aspiration and expectation of the Zeliangrong people, it added.
The Zeliangrong Civil Organisations claimed that NSCN (IM) cadres, by coming to Khoupum and Luangreng (Nungnang) village is in violation of the ceasefire ground rules and added that it is a matter of serious concern for which the Central Government should bear the responsibility for all that happened including the torture meted out to the innocent members of the Village Authority of Luangreng village and the people of Khoupum area.
It demanded the Central Government not to allow the NSCN (IM) to destroy the peaceful and conducive atmosphere in the area on the pretext of factional fighting.
The Zeliangrong Civil Organisation also warned that the peace negotiation should not be misused by the NSCN (IM) to torture and harass the innocent public but rather the NSCN (IM) should focus on the Naga solution.
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