CSOs, MLAs appeal for sanity, restraint
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 02 2024: In the wake of yesterday's Lilong incident in which four persons were killed, scores of organisations representing different communities and MLAs have urged members of the public against making statements that could hurt sentiments and flare up tensions.

The organisations said the incident that occurred at Lilong Chingjao yesterday night was not communal and it shouldn't be portrayed as one.

Some time after the incident yesterday, members of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and All Manipur Muslim Organisation Coordination Committee (AMOCOC) had visited Lilong and appealed to the people to maintain calm.

COCOMI coordinator Jitendra Ningomba had called on members of Meitei and Meitei Pangal communities to refrain from making unwanted statements that may flare up tensions.

AMOCOC president SM Jalal, while condemning the incident which resulted in the death of innocent civilians, had urged the public to maintain calm to avoid unwanted incidents.

Appealing to the people to not believe in rumours that portray the incident as communal, he had also urged the Government to take legal action against persons involved in the incident.

Kshetrigao AC MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan and Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir have also urged people to maintain calm and avoid giving the incident communal tinge.

At a press meet jointly organised by different civil society organisations at Lilong Keithel today, Forum for Restoration of Peace, Manipur co-convenor Islam Makakcha said yesterday's incident at Lilong Chingjao was very unfortunate and heartbreaking.

The incident occurred even as efforts were being put in to bring normalcy to Manipur amid the current conflict (between Meiteis and Kukis).

All members of the society should condemn the incident in the strongest terms, he said.

The incident claimed four lives and has afflicted pain and misery to many families, he said, sharing the grief of the bereaved families and showing solidarity.

Yesterday's incident was unfortunate but it was not communal in nature.

The incident must not be portrayed as one that may harm the sentiments of different communities, he said, appealing to members of all communities concerned to maintain calm.

Islam said some with vested interests are trying to give the incident a communal tinge to drive wedge between Meiteis and Pangals.

This is "condemnable" and "very wrong", he added.

Expressing solidarity with the families of those who have been killed, Islam said his organisation and others will give all the support needed to the Joint Action Committee that has been formed to bring justice to the victims.

Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) president Th Manihar, who was present in the press meet, said the incident that occurred in Lilong yesterday was unfortunate.

He appreciated Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the State Government and the police for acting on time and bringing the situation under control.

He acknowledged and appreciated the public of Lilong and members of Meitei Pangal community for taking major roles in quelling the tension that erupted yesterday.

He urged people to not believe in rumours that have appeared on social media regarding the incident.

Stating that FOCS will lend support to the JAC in all its decisions, he appealed to the Government to hear and materialise the demands and appeals of the JAC.

While appealing to all to maintain calm and not to give the incident a communal tinge, he urged the Government to lift prohibitions under CrPC Section 144 that have been imposed in the valley districts .

MMWO secretary general Khutheibam Wadia Hassan Shah also spoke to the press urging law enforcement agencies to maintain close coordination with local CSOs to avoid unwanted incidents in the future.

He expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased persons.

FOCS vice president BM Yaima Shah, Thoubal and Kakching District Apunba Lup convenor W Jotinkumar were also present at the press meet.

Meanwhile, many other organisations including Committee on Peaceful Co-existence Manipur, United NGOs Mission-Manipur (UNM-Manipur) and Triangular Anti-Drug Association have also condemned the incident.

At Manipur Press Club, Imphal, UNM-Manipur secretary Dr L Pishak said the incident should be probed by an independent body.

The families of the deceased persons should be provided proper assistance and compensation, he said.

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