TKS bares fangs at Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20 2016:
Taking serious note of the prevailing situation in the State, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) today said that the incidents that have unfolded during and after the bandh called by Khwairamband women on December 16 to protest the ambush on State security personnel by unknown armed groups at various places, have exposed the communal and biased stand of the State Government.
In a statement issued to the press today, TKS said that police personnel stood as mute spectators while private vehicles travelling along the Imphal-Ukhrul road were attacked with stones, iron bars, catapults and air guns.
Over 20 vehicles were burnt by the bandh supporters and the State Government was nowhere in sight, it said adding that even the Central Government has preferred to look the other way.
Security personnel from Imphal East and Assam Rifles personnel also refused to extend assistance to the passengers under one pretext or the other, alleged TKS.
On December 18, the Tangkhul community had issued a proclamation warning all not to harm anyone from other community residing in Tangkhul areas, said the statement and added that despite this, Meitei people, who have had no problems living in Tangkhul area so far, began their exodus from Ukhrul district with the help of State security forces while Assam Rifles have provided them shelter inside their camps.
Therefore the State security forces and the Assam Rifles are playing a dangerous game and creating communal distrust, it added.
To worsen the situation, media houses have not been without biases, alleged TKS and added the media kept denying that vehicles have been burnt and passengers harassed.
Suppressing news is akin to saying that there is no law and order problem, added TKS and appealed to the media to directly interact with the victims.
Chief Minister O Ibobi and his gang have widened the communal divide, said TKS and added that the Meitei-Naga divide was never so much pronounced as when Ibobi became the Chief Minister.
Two Nagas lost their lives at Mao in 2010, said TKS citing examples and added that another two lives were lost at Ukhrul in 2014.These are but just two examples, added TKS.
The situation has come to such a pass that it now warrants President's Rule, said TKS and reiterated their stand against the declaration of the seven new districts.
Maintaining that the Nagas have had enough, TKS called for total separation from the State Government.