Kukis have crossed the limit : Naga bodies
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 20 2023:
The Joint Tribe Council (JTC), a conglomeration of Zeme Naga Council, Manipur (ZNC-M), Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M), Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur (RNC-M) and Inpui Union, Manipur (IUM), said today that the burning down of a house belonging to a Liangmai Naga at Leimakhong on the late night of June 18 was an "orchestrated attack perpetrated by the Kukis" .
While condemning the incident in the strongest terms, the tribe bodies of Rongmei, Liangmai, Inpui and Zeme said that this violent incident targeting the Nagas at Leimakhong despite the tag "Naga House" pasted at the respective gates was a direct threat to "our principle of neutrality over the prevailing situation in the State" .
The JTC, in a statement made available to Newmai News Network said, "To our utter shock and dismay that targeted violent incident of torching houses had happened in front of the main gate of 57th Mountain Division, Army Headquarters, Leimakhong where hundreds of thousands of military and Central forces are stationed" .
Unfortunately, these army and Central forces remained mute spectators to the orchestrated attack perpetrated by the Kukis, the JTC also said.
"Now, it is a matter of concern that even in the heavy presence or deployment of military and Central forces, if our lives and properties are not safe, then to whom shall we trust upon is a million dollar question," it added.
The JTC said it was convinced that the "behaviour of Kukis showing scant regards to the Nagas' neutral stand by engaging wilfully in wanton harassment of the Nagas is not a sign of a neighbour who intends to live in harmony with the people who have provided them shelter.
"This orchestrated attack perpetrated by the Kukis on the Nagas has led the Nagas to conclude that the mutual respect and peaceful coexistence that we anticipated from the Kukis has proven to be wrong," the JTC added.
The JTC then said it is a considered opinion of the Nagas that Kukis have crossed the limit and are going against the spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in the State.
"It may be noted that our restraints and neutrality on the prevailing situation in the State should not be construed as our weakness.
If the Kukis do not mend their ways, we will not remain mute spectators to what is happening in our areas," the JTC cautioned.