ATSUM, IDF, NSF, NPF, Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland condemn Ukhrul incident
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 31 2014:
The All Tribal Students Union Manipur(ATSUM) and Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) in separate statements have strongly condemned the killing of civilians in Ukhrul on Saturday by the state security force personnel.
ATSUM led by its president Muan Tombing has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Ramkashing Vashi and R.Mayopam by state security force on August 30 during a peaceful rally at Ukhrul.
This again has gone to prove the notoriety of the state police force in unleashing terror in public domain.
The assassination of Ngalangzar Malui, ex-vice chairman of Ukhrul ADC, was condemned by one and all including ATSUM.
In the aftermath of the infamous assassination the government arrested 8 suspects from Ukhrul who are awaiting trail according to law of the land.
But the government going over board in clamping CRPC 144 for more than 40days without any justifiable reason amounts to suspension of civil rights guaranteed in the constitution of India.
To our utter surprise, no elected representatives or ministers visited Ukhrul during all these days of its imposition.
This goes to show the lack of political will of the state government to resolve issues pertaining to the tribals of Manipur.
"The ATSUM shall fight for the rights of tribals in Manipur and thus demands immediate revocation of the CrPC 144 in Ukhrul, judicial inquiry into the incident iii)ex gratia of the deceased, government service to the surviving wife and kins of the deceased, compensation to the injured persons.
In a few days time ATSUM shall be lunching peoples movement to fulfil its long pending legitimate demands including autonomous self governance of the hill areas of Manipur under article 371c of the constitution of India," ATSUM stated.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Democratic Front(IDF) strongly condemned the incident and stated, "It is beyond words to express the anguish when state government went out of ideas and start combating its own citizens to resolve outstanding issues.
Imposition of CrPC 144 is being abused in Manipur.
It had claimed 18 lives earlier in Imphal.
This kind of military brutalisation is unlikely to solve any problem" .
The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) Manipur general secretary Athuan Abonmai said in a press statement, "If Chief Minister Ibobi continues to rule the state, then the innocent Nagas citizens' lives are not secure at all.
Past incidents at Mao Gate, Senapati, Tamenglong incident, Chandel incident and now at Ukhrul and tomorrow he may have plans to carry out genocides on entire Naga.
"The innocent Naga citizens were harassed in name of restoring normalcy where there is no disturbance.
Ibobi Singh, the most communal Chief Minister in the state of Manipur has sent thousand of commandos and IRB to Ukhrul district and promulgated CrPc 144 just to harass the peace loving innocent Nagas, physically and mentally," the NPF, Manipur stated in a press release.
While condemning the incident, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) also demanded settlement of the long pending political issue and removal of 144 CrPC in the Ukhrul district.
The apex Naga students' body stated, "The August 30 incident has clearly shown the intention of the Government of Manipur that the Manipur police commandos and IRB are deployed in the district not for safeguarding but for militarization and bring fear psychosis in the minds of the peace loving citizens.
There is not an iota of reason to open fire randomly and bombard the town when public are democratically carrying out peaceful procession.
Such a barbaric act is tantamount to direct challenging to the whole Nagas and also amounts to sabotaging the Indo-Naga peace process" .
The NSF then asked the Government of Manipur to give enough compensation to the demised families and also take care of all the medical needs for the injured person.
The federation further sought the Government of India to set up an independent enquiry body to thoroughly investigate the incident and punish the concerned officer(s) responsible for the mayhem at Ukhrul.
While sending deep regret and condolence to the demised families and pray for early recovery of those injured persons, the federation urged all the Nagas to come together and stand resolutely for our inherent birth rights.
The Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland stronglt condemning the incident asserted that the promulgation of the Act in Ukhrul district for more than one month is in no way justifiable and it is a direct threat to individual rights and freedom.
The THN calls upon every civil organisation to condemn such barbaric action of Manipur Police and IRB and support the citizens of Ukhrul district in this trying time.
THN shared deep condolence to the bereacved families and prayed that their sacrifies will not go in vain.
"We also wish a speedy recovery for all those injured in the action", stated PA Ramsing.