Organisations condemn attack
Source: The Sangai Express

Chandel, February 06 2016 : Kuki Chief Association, Chandel (KCA-CDL), Kuki Peoples' Forum, Chandel (KPF-CDL), Thadou Students' Association, Chandel (TSA-CDL) and Kuki Students' Organisation, Chandel (KSO-CDL), in a joint statement, have vehemently condemned the attack on Molnom village, Pallel by NSCN-IM cadres on February 3 wherein Lunkhogin Haokip alias Gigin, 25, s/o Paokhomang Haokip of Molnom village sustained severe injuries on his forehead, shoulder and right hand.

In the late evening of February 3, cadres of NSCN-IM armed with sophisticated weapons surrounded Molnom village.

Three youths � Thangminlal (19), Benjamin (23) and Shokholun (20), were stopped by the outfits while returning from Tuisiloh river.

They were allegedly tortured and physically assaulted by the cadres.

Lunkhogin alias Gigin ran to the spot hearing screams of the three youths.

The cadres subsequently fired upon him and he sustained severe bullet injuries.

The associations in a joint meeting held at Molnoi village, Pallel today have appealed the State and the Central Government to bring a halt to the frequent attacks on Kukis in Chandel by NSCN-IM.

The organisations, in the statement, questioned whether the attack was carried out with an intention to recall the 1990s NSCN-IM and Kukis ethnic clash.

Similar incident had occurred at Aimol Ngairong village last year on August 22 where one Manglun Aimol of Ngairong village was killed.

The joint organizations questioned the Central Government whether the peace agreement signed with the NSCN-IM on August 3 last year was meant to harass the civilians.

Aimol tribe Union, Manipur (ATUM) and the Kuki reformation Forum have also condemn the February 3 incident.

ATUM in a statement issued by its president RT Akhel Aimol said it is very unfortunate that a faction of 'Pro-Naga Aimol's Gang' in collusion with NSCN (IM) unleased the reign of terror and tried to sow the seed of hatred among the people who have peacefully co-existed in the region since time immemorial.

It further questioned how the armed outfits can roam freely amid the deployment of a great number of State and Central security forces in the region.

Terming the incident, "Mindless incursion and unprovoked attack", the publicity wing of KRF said that the attack is reminiscent of the more than decade long ethnic cleansing pogrom perpetuated by Th Muivah and his cohorts upon the innocent Kukis during late 90s in Nagaland and Manipur which eventually culminated into the infamous Naga/NSCN (IM) �Kuki conflict that resulted in insurmountable loss of life and property on both sides.

The unions have urged the NSCN (IM) to refrain from and avoid such incidents in the future.

They also urged the Central Govt and State police machinery to provide adequate security to the minorities to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.

KRF in their statement appealed the Central Govt to accord equal treatment to all its citizens and respect the age old land rights of the Kukis while making the final deal with the NSCN (IM) .

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