UNC, NWU, ATSUM condemn
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, September 18 2013:
United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women Union (NWU) and All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) have condemned the abduction and subsequent killing of Jonathan Kashung, a candidate for the presidentship of Tangkhul Naga Long(TNL) and a former Vice-President of the All Naga Students' Association by unidentified persons in Ukhrul.
In a joint statement, UNC and NWU said that the Naga people have always stood against the use of violence by any group particularly upon members of the civil society whatever may be the charges alleged and leveled.
"In this moment of grief and loss, we reach out to the wife, children and relatives of the late K.Jonathan with our sympathies and solidarity.
May the good Lord bless them with the grace to bear the irreparable loss and the strength to carry on with life once again in His protection," both the organisations prayed.
"We also condemn the bomb attack on the office of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), in the heart of thickly populated Ukhrul town on the night of 16th Sept, 2013 suspected to be carried out by cadres of an outfit in this connection which is an abominable act, alien to the culture and social values of the Naga people," the joint statement of UNC and NWU further said.
"The civil society, which upholds the unity and oneness of the people is greatly disturbed by this unfortunate chain of events.
We once again appeal to all concern to refrain from violence and use of terror weapons and to create space for dialogue through which differences and misunderstandings can be resolved," the joint statement added.
Meanwhile, ATSUM speaker Majabung Gangmei described the abduction and subsequent killing of Jonathan Kashung as inhuman and barbaric.
"Whatever mistake Jonathan Kashung might have committed, enough time should be given for his clarification," said Majabung Gangmei, who is also the spokesman of ATSUM.