Don't target Irong Tangkhul village : VA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 05 2023: Irong Tangkhul village authority has appealed to not terrorise the peaceful residents of the village in Kangpokpi district in the wake of recent gunfire incident at the village amidst the ethnic clash.

Speaking to media persons during a press conference convened at Irong Tangkhul Khul, a member of the village authority Worthson Hungyo condemned the act and appealed to all concerned to ensure the incident does not recur.

The press conference was also attended by Soibam Ibomcha, a representative of Ningel Youth Club from the neighbouring Ningel village and president of Federation of Civil Society, Kangleipak (FOCS) Th Manihar.

Hungyo said that a stray bullet fell on the roof of a house of the village last Saturday night and it has caused panic and fear among women, children and elders.

Moreover, some of the villagers have started to flee and panic continues to persist among other villagers, he said.

Taking serious note of the incident, he also appealed to all concerned to refrain from causing further panic and tension to the villagers.

He also maintained that the village is one of the vulnerable villages as it is surrounded by around 13 Kuki villages.

Since it was night time, they were unable to identify who the attackers were, he said while appealing to all concerned to join hands to prevent such an incident, which has invoked fear among the villagers, in the future.

Speaking at the occasion, FOCS's president Th Manihar said the prevailing situation is a fight between forces which want to break the State and the other who stands for the unity and the integrity of the State.

He also stressed on the need for indigenous communities to join forces and fight together against illegal immigrants who are trying to rip apart the State.

"Meiteis have never been the aggressor during this clash, all we have done is retaliate to defend ourselves from their attacks," he said.

Manihar also cautioned Naga brothers to be wary of the evil forces trying to drive a wedge between Meiteis and Nagas.

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