NSF calls off stir, 5 cops placed under suspension
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Dimapur/Imphal, February 26 2016 : The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has called off its ban on "Meitei/Manipuri owned vehicles" from Naga inhabited areas with immediate effect.

Addressing the press in Dimapur this evening, NSF leaders said they have de- cided to call off the agitation following the fulfilment of their demands by the Manipur Government.

Meanwhile, five personnel of Manipur Police were today placed under suspension by the Home Department in con- nection with the February 14 Mantripukhri incident wherein some NSF members were reportedly assaulted.

The five personnel are SI Md Imtiyaz Rahaman of Tamenglong police (presently attached with Cdo/IE), Havildar S Gunachandra of 5th Bn MR (presently at- tached with Cdo/IE), Rifleman W Jiten Singh of 1st MR (presently attached with Cdo/IE), Rifleman O Bishwanath Singh of 1st IRB (presently attached with Cdo/ IE) and Constable N Surchandrajit Singh of Imphal East police (presently at- tached with Cdo/IE).

An order to this effect has been issued by ADGP, C Doungel on behalf of the DGP of Manipur Police.

As news of the suspen- sion of the five cops spread, police commandos returned from their duties to Imphal East district police headquar- ters and parked their vehicles inside the complex.

The main entrance gate of district police headquarters was found half-closed when reporters rushed there to col- lect news.

One commando personnel on the condition of anonym- ity told reporters that the suspension order had given extreme dissatisfaction to them.

Expressing concern over conceding under NSF's pres- sure, he said that the Government's decision would encourage the activities of NSF.

Later, Imphal East SP Angam Kamei Romanus ar- rived at the district police headquarters and held a meet- ing with commando personnel.

After the meeting, the com- mando personnel resumed their normal duties from around 3 pm.

In a statement, NSF said that the decision to call off the stir was taken today at 11.45 am as the Government of Manipur has responded to the charter of demands posi- tively.

'The sincerity of the Gov- ernment of Manipur is appreciated', said NSF and added that it hopes and be- lieves the GoM will uphold their commitment in letter and spirit.

In a message sent to the DGP, the NSF acknowledged the efforts of the State Gov- ernment as well as the investigating officer, IK Muivah, DIG range 1 for their efforts to resolve the issue.

NSF also condemned the statements made by Gaikhangam, RK Imo and Biren Singh in the Manipur Assembly "It was never the Naga Students' Federation which first went communal," said NSF and added that they (the named persons) tried to shield the people who started being communal.

The student body also thanked all the civil societies for extending their solidarity, all the Federating Units and subordinate bodies of the Naga Students' Federation, all the volunteers for their tire- less efforts in making the indefinite bandh a success and the media fraternity for their unceasing support to the peo- ple's struggle.

NSF also expressed regret for the inconveniences cre- ated to the general public during the ban on vehicles of a community.

Naga Students' Federation (NSF) imposed an indefinite ban on movement of all "Meitei/Manipuri owned ve- hicles" in all Naga inhabited areas since February 24 after the Manipur Government failed to give in to their de- mands of terminating the service of the duty officer-in- charge and suspension of all cops involved in the incident.

The Manipur Government sent DIG Range-1 IK Muivah as its emissary to Nagaland where he met NSF leaders to resolve the crisis at the student body's office in Kohima yesterday.

Earlier, NSF had submit- ted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur giving February 23 as the deadline to fulfil their demands.

It en- forced the stir following failure of the Manipur Gov- ernment to meet the demands.

The NSF leaders were heading towards Ukhrul dis- trict on February 14 to attend Lui-Ngai-Ni festival when the incident happened.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, a highly reliable source said that after the meet- ing held with Government emissary DIG Range 1, IK Muivah at Kohima yesterday, the NSF agreed to drop the demand to dismiss the officer in the Mantripukhri incident.

The student body however demanded that the officer and checking personnel who abused them verbally and manhandled them threatening them that they will be made to "disappear" as no one knows their whereabouts should be suspended.

The DGP has also con- veyed regret for the unfortunate Mantripukhri in- cident to NSF, added the source.

After much deliberations on how not to blow the issue out of proportion involving larger entities, the NSF also decided to reconsider its deci- sion of indefinite bandh and called it off.

The Naga Hoho has hailed the decision of the NSF and added that it would like to thank and appreciate the Naga Students' Federation for ena- bling and waking up the Manipur Government and making the Manipur Govern- ment call and accept a crime as a crime, committed by its security forces upon the NSF officials who were enroute to Ukhrul to attend the Lui Ngai Ni festival on February 14, 2016. In a statement, Naga Hoho said that the erring jawans led by SI Md Imtiyaz Rahaman were well aware of the digni- taries travelling in the entire State of Manipur enroute to Ukhrul on February 14 morn- ing.

The Naga Hoho also ac- knowledged the sincere efforts of the Manipur Gov- ernment and particularly IK Muivah IPS, DIG Range 1, who was the Investigating Officer of the case and Eno Subenthung the president of the NSF for resolving the issue.

The Hoho strongly be- lieves that language which is one's own pride should not be imposed upon innocent travellers, be it in Nagaland or in Manipur, said the state- ment and added that Naga Hoho looks forward to the time when security forces manning the check gates will honour and respect all.

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