JTSA condemns assault on Liangmai leader
Source: Chronicle News Service

Noney, September 06 2023: Joint Tribes Students' Association (JTSA), a conglomerate body of Inpui, Zeme, Rongmei and Liangmai tribal students, has vehemently condemned the assault on Lenglong Village Authority, Tamenglong district ex-chairman and Liangmai leader Hotngambou Zuinamai (56), son of Akongbou Zuinamai on of Tuesday by alleged KRA miscreants.

In a release, JTSA said that Hotngambou Zuinamai and his wife who were travelling in a Bolero pick-up truck towards Imphal carrying vegetables for sale were stopped by two Kuki miscreants on a bike at around 7:30 am at Chalwa, a Kuki village and demanded a sum of money as tax.

In the middle of their negotiation, Zuinamai was punched on his face since he was not in a position to meet their demands leading him to profusely bleed from his nose after which the two culprits absconded.

Further, on reaching Kangpokpi, Zuinamai was again halted allegedly by two Kuki insurgents of UKLF who forcefully demanded Rs 2000 as tax, it claimed.

JTSA continued that Inpui, Zeme, Rongmei and Liangmai people have been trying hard to salvage the overwhelming consequences of the civil war that has disrupted everyday life along with sharing empathetic emotions and fervently praying for divine intervention, regardless of whichever community.

JTSA is totally shocked and has taken offence by the evil and deliberate act of physical assault and harassment of a fellow Liangmai Naga brother and his wife, it stated.

The Association also alleged that Kuki people have been living in 'Zeliangrongpui' Naga land and many of Naga commuters have been facing extortion in the name of tax demanded by many Kuki insurgents along IT road areas and NHs.

"Whereas, the Kukis are living in our land and have been taking undue advantage and creating continuous ruckus along the IT road and NHs time and again is a questionable act" .

"The fact that we are the majority tribes among a as and a peace-loving community settling in different districts of Manipur.

While our cognate tribes are even settled across in different states of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam," it said.

Posing whether the intention of the Kuki was to personally target the four cognate tribes of Naga, JTSA further said this is a final warning and they will not remain a mute spectator to this insidious behaviour in future.

JTSA further demanded that stringent action be taken against the Kuki miscreants and justice be delivered only through the Naga highest customary laws by the Naga apex body.

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