Shooting incident at Somrei village : UNC takes issue to Home Minister
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, December 30 2015 : The United Naga Council (UNC) has taken the Somrei village shooting incident to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

In a lengthy memorandum, the UNC said it "is constrained" to submit the following facts for favour of kind intervention and disposal of justice against human rights abuse and crime against religious freedom and the international Christian festival, Christmas being perpetrated by the Manipur police commandos.

It mentioned in its memorandum that in the evening of December 26, 2015 at around 7 pm, the Christian festival gathering of the said village was intentionally disrupted by some Manipur police commando personnel and "they have abused, molested and assaulted and also maligned the modesty of innocent girls" before the public of K Somrei Naga village of Senapati and Ukhrul districts, under Nongpok Sekmai police station of Thoubal district.

"In the following evening of December 27, 2015, Chithung Anando was brutally beaten up causing serious injury by the police personnel posted at Anupam Bridge Concrete Infrastructure (ABCI) Pvt.

Ltd.

Company Camp.at the said village.

The local folks angered by the repeated harassment approached the police commando post protesting and demanding justice," the memorandum said.

"However, the exchange of verbal clash and under harsh provocation by the uncivil response of the commando officials resulted in public injuries when the commandos opened fire indiscriminately injuring 4 (four) persons including a widow and a school teacher and 2 (two) students were wounded while another 4 (four) persons were brutally assaulted and detained," it stated.

The UNC identified the victims as S Shimreiwon (35), w/o Late S Wungshungmi, S Somikan, (14) s/o Late S Wungshungmi, KS Ngalingam, (14) s/o Late KS Lachaoching all of Somrei village and Ngashanhor Chiphang, (28) s/o Samson Chiphang, Asstt.

Teacher of STNBA High School Irong.

.CAnando (48) s/o C Lungshim, SP Chinouchung (53) s/o Late SP Yarson, S Leishingam, (30) s/o S Ringa'i, S Sothemhor, (39) s/ o S Kasomphung and H Thashung (14) o H.Ningatei all from Somrei village were also assaulted, alleged UNC.

According to the UNC memorandum, the "helpless civilians" were further harassed, driven out and in the event the panicky locals suffered immense humiliation and remorse.

The public have failed to find justice against the unruly behavior of the police commandos who disrupted the whole Christmas celebrations, charged UNC.

It said, "The Naga tribal people living in the present State of Manipur have faced the brute force of State sponsored terrorism in the recent past and recently by killing 2 promising Naga students on May 6, 2010 at Mao-Gate injuring and maiming hundreds of civilians during the progress of prayer gathering for the proposed visit of Th Muivah, Ato Kilonser, Chief Negotiator, NSCN, killing of 2 Naga youths on August 31, 2014 at Ukhrul headquarters and injuring hundreds of innocent civilians in the firing during the peace rally held in support of Indo-Naga political talks and also killing of 9 tribals at Churachandpur headquarters on August 31 and September 1, 2015 while defending the inalienable rights of the tribals on the most controversial 3 Bills being passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly and whose bodies are still lying at the morgue of Civil Hospital Churachandpur and recently of K Somrei Tangkhul tribal village.

"The State communal forces have constantly shown apathy and ill-will against the peaceful civilians of the hill areas particularly the 4 Naga districts of Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong where Indo-Naga cease fire has been in place.

The one and half decade old peace talk should not be hijacked by evil elements and international festivals should be left alone," the memorandum continued.

It further said the "State sponsored elements and sabotaging forces" should not be allowed to go on unchecked while the people are aspiring for the final stage of the frame work agreement which would bring permanent peace in the region.

Demands of the UNC to the Union Home Minister mentioned in its memorandum read as : i. The communal State forces deployed at Indo-Naga cease fire areas be withdrawn immediately for good.

ii. Independent Inquiry be ordered to find out the truth.

iii. The Government should deliver justice to the innocent victims immediately.

Failure to concede to the above points, the agitation may be resumed by the people of the area in which United Naga Council (UNC) may be obliged to extend solidarity to the victims and demand maintenance of human rights for every citizen of the country with special case to this area.

Hence, this council beseech your high office for immediate intervention and protect the tribals from the 'jungle raj' under the Chief Ministership of O Ibobi Singh.

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