UNC retaliates with indefinite bandh
Mortal remains of Mayopam, Ramkashing put to rest, thousands attend funeral service
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, September 01 2014: Tens of thousand of Naga people today attended the funeral service of Mayopam Ramror and Ramkashing Vashi at TNL ground here.

The mammoth gathering waving the Nagalim flag received mortal remains of the duo ahead of the cortege which was led by tribe presidents and frontal organization leaders as pall-bearers till the venue at around 12 noon.

Mayopam Ramror and Ramkashing Vashi were killed by Manipur Police Commandos at Ukhrul in the course of the peace rally organized by UNC demanding honourable and permanent solution to the Indo-Naga peace talk, alternative arrangement for Nagas outside GoM and revocation of 144 CrPC and withdrawal of Manipur Police commandos and IRB from Ukhrul.

Meanwhile, 144 CrPC was partially lifted from some areas of Ukhrul town.

The funeral began with Christian hymnal invocation prayer.

People assembling at Tangkhul Naga Long Ground to pay last respects to Mayopam and Ramkashing

Speaking at the gathering, programme moderator and UNC publicity secretary Milan alleged that Chief Minister Ibobi and Home Minister Gaikhangam led Government is a communal Government which created artificial situation for killing two innocent civilians.

Together with the huge gathering, the bereaved families mourned for their lost ones.

They got married this year only.

The wife of late Mayopam spoke at the gathering and it touched everyone's heart.

"May their sacrifices bring about the common aspiration of Naga Unity", said the Naga leaders to the bereaved wives and exhorted them to live as dignified Naga women.

The headman of Tienem village said that they spared five police commandos while adding "We want solution, not violence" .

The United Naga Council (UNC) has declared August 30 as Naga Martyrs Day while Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) decided to observe the same day as black day.

Tienem women president Soreiwon said life is far more precious than Rs five lakh announced by the State Government as ex-gratia.

One witness of the August 30 incident narrated the whole episode.

He said that the Ukhrul SP S Selvan along with his escort came shooting from north and hit the duo killing them on the spot.

Meanwhile the TNL president SD.

Reisang announced ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the bereaved families, erection of 'democracy monument' in their names above which August 30 would be observed as black day.

Representatives from Naga Hoho Samsom Rimai, UNC team led by president Adani, Zeliangrong Baudi, Naga Women Union LM Tabitha, ANSAM, ATSUM, Mao Council, Paomai, Senapati Women Association, Senapati District Students' Association, Thangkal, Lamkang, Tarao, Monsang, Tangkhul civil organizations, CNPO Chandel, NPHMR, Kuki tribal unit of GPRN Ukhrul laid wreath sand joined the last rite at around 4 pm at the TNL ground.

The UNC president Adani read out the declaration shouting the slogan "We endorse Indo-Naga issue, we support Indo-Naga Cease fire, expedite settlement of Indo-Naga issue" and it ended with gun salute of 16 rounds symbolizing 16 Nagas tribe of Manipur.

On the other hand, a massive sit-in-protest was staged today at Tamenglong headquarters in protest against the killing two civilians at Ukhrul on August 30 .