NSCN-IM cadre shows his satanic side
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 19 2012:
An armed cadre of NSCN-IM reportedly went rampant when he molested Manipuri digital film actress Momoko before assaulting her in full public view during a musical concert at Chandel Bazaar High School ground in Chandel district headquarters last night.
The 'high profile' NSCN-IM cadre also allegedly tried to kill another two artistes by firing two rounds at point blank range but they escaped unhurt.
Surprisingly, Manipur Police personnel, AR personnel and all others including organizers of the musical concert as well as the public, who were present when the armed cadre showed his satanic side, did nothing but watch the scene as Momoko Khangembam was molested, punched and kicked by the NSCN-IM cadre on the stage itself.
Momoko fainted on the stage on account of the assault.
The NSCN-IM cadre has been identified as Livingstone.
The incident took place yesterday (December 18) at Chandel head quarters during a musical concert at around 5pm.The musical concert was organized by Mahamani Women's Society, Chandel to raise fund for Mahamani Youth Club.
Recounting the ghastly incident to media persons at the office of Film Forum Manipur at Lamphelpat here today, Momoko Khangembam said that along with comedian Hidangmayum Guna, she was invited to host the music concert.
The music concert was attended by various artists including Chitra, Aphao, Uttam, Prakash and Sadananda.
It was when singer Prakash was giving performance when two gunshots were heard.
Suddenly from amongst the public, one person, who was later identified as Livingstone, Finance Officer (in-charge of Chandel district) of NSCN-IM came up on the stage holding a gun in his hand.
He came straight and molested her on the stage.
When she resisted him, the gunman slapped her and hit her on the face.
As she was trying to defend herself by bending down, the man kicked her repeatedly and dragged her around by pulling her hair.
Unable to bear the pain, she lost consciousness and fell on the stage.
Momoko said.
Prakash, who was also present during the press conference, informed that when he and Guna tried to stop Livingstone from assaulting and molesting Momoko, he (Livingstone) fired two shots towards them.
Luckily, the bullets missed both of them.
He further informed that Manipur Police personnel as well as personnel of AR who were enjoying the musical concert did not even try to interrupt and stop the brutal act of Livingstone being carried out on a defenceless woman in full public view.
Even the public in the concert gave a deaf ear to the plea of the artist to stop Livingstone from his unwanted acts.
Finally, the women folks who were present there came to their rescue and tried to stop Livingston.
However, Livingstone resisted their attempt and opened fire a number of rounds.
The women folks ultimately snatched the gun from Livingstone.
Members of Mahamani Women's Society were also present at the press conference.
Film Forum Manipur has strongly condemned the brutal act of Livingstone and demanded that the NSCN-IM cadre be handed over to the public and take up necessary legal actions against him.
Meanwhile, participated by artists of Shumang Leela, singers, actors and members of Film Forum Manipur, a protest rally was taken out from Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen and proceeded towards the Chief Minister's Bungalow to submit a memorandum highlighting various demands.
The protestors were, however, stopped by the security personnel from going ahead near Sanjenthong.
Afterward, only six artistes including the victim Momoko, Guna and Prakash were allowed to go and submit the memorandum to the Chief Minister.
The demands highlighted in the memorandum include immediate arrest of Livingstone for molesting and assaulting a woman as well as for firing at the artists and to take up necessary legal actions against him in accordance to the law of the land.
Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of the protest rally, President of Film Forum Manipur Laimayum Surjakanta denounced the act of Livingstone as a cowardly act.
He also expressed amazement over the attitude of Manipur Police personnel and AR personnel who kept watching a defenceless woman being repeatedly beaten up and molested in front of their own eyes.
Surjakanta warned that if the law of the land fails to give befitting punishment to Livingstone, various intense agitations would be taken up.
Furthermore, he announced that all types of music concerts and events related with films would be stopped with immediate effect in protest against the assault on the woman artiste.