LCA condemns 'Anal Land Jury Board', villagers desert Vomku village
Source: The Sangai Express
Chandel, July 18 2019:
The Lamkang Chiefs' Association today expressed its utter dismay at the alleged actions of the 'Anal Land Jury Board' over the desecration of the tomb of late D Thamnok Lamkang and removal of his copse with the coffin recently.
The desecration of the tomb and removal of the corpse violate the local customary laws.
The disrespect shown towards the dead is unprecedented in Chandel Naga history, it said in a statement asserting that it is considered a taboo to bury a dead person twice.
It further accused the Anal Land Jury Board of not condemning the 'heinous act' and 'protecting the suspects'.
"LCA would like to appeal to right thinking individuals in Anal tribe and also the larger Chandel tribes that we want this criminal matter be quickly put behind us.
It is taboo not to perform the appropriate rites of passage for such a dastardly act of disrespect to the dead.
If Vomku village wants to bring up the matter of land dispute with Challong village it can be pursued in the appropriate civil Court.
But we cannot move on until the criminal offence and breaking of taboo is appropriately addressed first," it said.
It also denied claims that (L) D Thamnok Lamkang was buried in the territory of Vomku-Darchol village.
Thamnok's dead body was buried in Challong territory, LCA claimed asserting that it has documents issued by competent authority of the Government of Manipur to prove the same.
Meanwhile, Vomku village wore a deserted look with locals leaving the place amidst the crisis.
According to villagers of Darchol village, the Vomku villagers left their village in fear of 'constant search operations' conducted by the security personnel.
The villagers are taking shelters at some place in Chandel, they said.
Vomku Primary School was found shut and the domestic animals starving without their owners to feed them.
Darchol villagers further appealed State Government to look into the crisis and intervene in time to restore peaceful environment in the region.
It may be noted that Tengnoupal Police had registered a case and arrested one on intervening night of July 14-15 from Chandel PWD quarter area.
Section 144 is currently imposed in National Highway 102 Imphal -Moreh Thamlapokpi Village and Pallel - Chandel St Paul Higher Secondary School area.