Liangmai Naga bodies condemn, vow to not remain mute spectators
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, June 21 2023: On the burning down of a Liangmai Naga house in Leimakhong on June 18 by the Kukis, various Liangmai organiSations have asserted that they will not remain mute spectators.

The Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, Manipur (LNKR-M) or Liangmai Students Union, Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi (LPNR) or Liangmai Women Union and Liangmai Naga Ruangdi (LNR), the apex organisation of Liangmai Nagas of Nagaland and Manipur, have strongly condemned the incident where a Liangmai Naga house in Leimakhong Chingmang was burnt down by the Kukis.

In a separate statement, the Liangmai Naga Ruangdi said it is unfortunate to learn that on June 18 at around 12 pm (midnight) at Leimakhong the Kukis burnt down a Naga house with full knowledge that it belonged to a Naga family and vandalised the two gates at Leimakhong which belonged to Nagas.

"It is to mention that despite the presence of a large military personnel and burning houses in front of the main gate of 57th Mountain Division, Army HQ, Leimakhong, where hundreds of thousands of central forces stationed, these military forces remained mute spectators to the attack perpetrated by the Kukis.

Now, our lives and properties are not safe.

Besides, the role of military and central forces in conflict-torn areas in the state cannot remain unquestioned," the LNR added.

The Liangmai apex body then said that torching and vandalism of houses and gates belonging to Nagas at Leimakhong was not an isolated case.

"It may be mentioned that despite warnings, the Kukis had forcefully built war bunkers within the jurisdiction of a Naga village called K Lungwiram.

In addition to that, a few weeks ago, during the clashes between the Kukis and Meiteis, K Lungwiram was deliberately targeted and fired upon by the Kukis inspite of knowing that it is a Naga village so as to create fear psychosis amongst the Nagas in the areas," the LNR added.

The LNR also said that in spite of knowing the Nagas' neutral stand in the ongoing conflict, the Kukis have been involved in waylaying and carrying out frisking and checking the Liangmai Nagas.

"Despite repeated warnings, the Kukis have been harassing the Liangmai Naga travellers or commuters on National Highway-2, Leimakhong areas including IT- Road.

The Liangmai Naga organisations will not remain mute spectators," it warned.

Meanwhile, the LNKR-M and LPNR said that the Konsakhul villagers with certain peripheral areas have allotted the Kukis to settle for a certain period in the areas.

They also mentioned that the Liangmai Naga tribe is one of the majority tribes among the Nagas and a peace loving community.

The Liangmai organisations then warned that it will not remain a mute spectator.

They demanded that stringent actions should be taken against the Kukis and justice should be delivered only through the highest Naga customary laws by the Naga apex body.

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