Many condemn, demand action against culprits
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 02 2024:
While denouncing the incident that took place at Lilong Chingjao in Thoubal district on Monday night wherein unidentified armed miscreants, who came to the residence of one Md Hassan, opened indiscriminate fire resulting in the death of four people and injuries caused to several others, many organisations have demanded stringent punishment of the culprits and delivering justice to the victims.
In separate releases, All Meetei Pangal Students' Union of Manipur, Kangleipak Minority Welfare Organisation, Pangal Students' Organisation (PSO), Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO), Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union, Meitei Leepun, Salai Kanba Lup and Hangamthabi Youth Club (HYC) denounced the Lilong Chingjao incident.
The incident incited fear among the locals and the cul-prits should come out in public and accept their mistakes, they demanded, while urging the state government to book the culprits and punish them as per the law of the land.
Though it was first misperceived by certain groups of people that the incident had communal undertone, they lauded the initiative taken up by CSOs of Meetei and Meetei Pangal in averting further flare-up of tension and occurrence of unwanted incidents.
They hoped that the CSOs will continue to take such responsibilities in future.
The bodies also appealed to both communities not to spread/post unfounded, incendiary and one-sided comments on social media platforms and remember that both the communities are inseparable.
Calling upon all stakeholders to contribute their mite in the peaceful resolution and discourage actions that may sow seeds of discord, they also shared the pain and grief of the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Youth for Social Action Bishnupur advisor Rk Sakhitombi, in a press conference held at Lamabam Mani Memorial Conference Hall on Tuesday, strongly denounced the Lilong incident and urged people of both communities to control their emotions and help each other in finding truth about incident.
She further appealed to both the communities to work together in finding out the truth about the incident and ensure punishment of those responsible.
Condemning the Lilong Chingjao incident of January 1 in the strongest terms, United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM) has demanded the government to arrest the culprits involved in the incident and take up legal actions at the earliest.
Addressing media persons in this regard at Manipur Press Club, here, on Tuesday, UNMM secretary Dr L Pishak mourned the death of four Meitei Pan-gals and injuries suffered by 10 others, and shared the grief and sorrow of the bereaved family while also praying for speedy recovery of the injured.
Appealing to all concerned not to resort to such inhumane act in the future, the secretary asked those involved in the incident to clarify and amicably settle their differences in the larger interest of the public.
While urging the government to arrest the culprits involved in the incident and take up legal actions at the earliest, Dr Pishak demanded the government to constitute an independent body to investigate into the case, compensate the bereaved family members and extend all necessary help in the treatment of the injured.
The state and the central governments should provide security to the public.
The CSOs and other organisations should also come together and ensure that no such unwanted incidents occur in future.
Moreover, the public should desist from spreading rumours and help in restoring peace and normalcy in the strife-torn state, he maintained.
Joining the media briefing, UNMM executive member Md Rajauddin said that those involved in the Monday's unwanted incident need to clarify as to why the action was carried out.
The government should also arrest those involved in the incident and take up legal actions at the earliest.
He also appealed to all concerned not to create problems and threaten the public.