Orange Fest: Gunmen shot down stall owner
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei

Tamenglong, December 19 2012: An innocent civilian identified as Boudiyang Panmei (36) son of Aran Panmei of Azuram Village of Tousem Sub- Division but residing at Green Hill Tamenglong Ward No.VI was shot dead at point blank by unidentified gunmen inside the 9th State Level Orange Festival hall just after conclusion of the festival at around 12.30 am today.

IN connection with the killing, Kiuhomliu Panmei, wife of the victim, has lodged an FIR under Section 302/8 IPC & (I-A) Act with the Tamenglong police station.

So far, no armed group has claimed responsibility for the killing.

However, the incident has heightened the charged atmosphere in Tamenglong district headquarters.

The incident occurred while the victim who opened a small stall near the venue gate was packing up his things to go home.

A gunshot was heard and the victim was found lying on the ground.

The security personnel who were present at the festival venue rushed to the spot and took Boudiyang Panmei to the district hospital where the doctors declared him as brought dead.

The body has been taken to Imphal for necessary post-mortem.

Venue of 9th State Level Orange Festival Pix : Daniel Kamei

Meanwhile, in protest against the killing, an emergency public meeting was held at the Market shed of the district headquarters today during a Joint Action Committee (JAC) was formed and passed a number of resolutions.

Decrying the killing of Boudiyang Panmei, who was said to be the only bread earner of the family, the meeting decided not to take back the body until and unless the responsible armed UG group owned up to committing the crime.

The meeting also expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged security lapses in the 9th State level Orange Festival held on December 17-18 December during which many dignitaries of the State including the Chief Minister, Home Minister and other high ranking Army officers/authorities attended.

Taking into consideration of the risk on civilian, the meeting unanimously resolved that no UG groups/ cadre in combat mode (military uniform, arms and weapons in strength) must stay or take shelter in private houses or mingled with the public of Tamenglong Ward No.1 � 10 and UG group responsible for the gruesome killing/cold blooded murder must compensate the victim's family in accordance to the customary laws of Zeliangrong community.

Furthermore, the meeting resolved that whichever UG outfits, be it NSCN: IM, NSCN: K, ZUF or NNC must issue clarification of their status by 20/12/2012, failing which public cooperation shall stand cease against the defaulting organization.

Meanwhile, Zeliangrong Student's Union, Tamenglong district has strongly condemned the killing of Boudiyang Panmei.

The spokesman of the student body also appealed to all the underground groups operating in the district to abstain from any sort of violence in Zeliangrong areas.

On the other hand, Commander of Tamenglong Town Command, Naga Army (NSCN: IM) has clarified that the no NSCN: IM cadre were involved in the killing of civilian Boudiyang Panmei.

The commander also strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilian.

"In order to maintain peace in the town, I have controlled my boys.

However, cadres of other UG groups have mingled with civilians and killing of innocent civilian is condemnable by all", said the Town commander.

David Panmei, MIP NSCN-K also clarified that the NSCN-K was not involved in the killing.

He further stated that the entire NSCN-K cadres have already left Tamenglong since first week of November, 2012 after the October 30 incident in the district headquarters.

So, the involving of NSCN-K is ruled out, said David Panmei.

In the evening, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong.