Penalise NSCN (IM), asserts AMUCO
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2011: Listing a number of violent incidents allegedly involving activists of the NSCN (IM) outfit, including the recent bomb blast at Sangakpham Bazar area, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has accused both the Central and State Government of being soft towards the rebel group.

Contending that inaction against the NSCN (IM) inspite of its involvement in various incidents of violence clearly suggest indirect support of both the Government to the armed organisation, AMUCO president KT Rahman demanded that effective measures be initiated to curb activities of the outfit in Manipur.

As the ongoing ceasefire between the Government of India and the rebel group does not cover Manipur, not only illegal activities of the NSCN (IM) need to be dealt with according to law but also all the rebel camps in the State should be shut-down, he said while speaking to newspersons today.

While strongly condemning the August 1 blast that killed five, including two school girls and left many others injured, he said a sit-in-protest would be staged at its office premises in Kwakeithel tomorrow.

A shattered shop on August 1 at Sangakpham-File

Noting that apart from the Chief Minister the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had indicted NSCN (IM) in the Sangakpham blast, Rahman opined that continuous inaction against the armed group inspite of indulgence in several violent acts in Manipur corroborates the people's suspicion that both the Centre and Govt of Manipur are adopting a lenient policy against the outfit.

The ongoing peace parleys between the NSCN (IM) and Govt of India has been reduced to a mockery as the rebel group is still involved in acts of terrorism, highway extortion, destruction of public properties and intimidation, he maintained.

mentioning the Sangakpham blast, killing of a couple in Lungphu village of Phungyar sub-division (Ukhrul) and slaying of security personnel of Phungyar AC MLA's escort party as recent cases involving the armed group, he also blamed the Govt of Manipur for the audacious acts of NSCN (IM) organisation by recounting a particular event when weapons seized by State security forces near Pallel were returned to the outfit along with its apprehended cadres.

Asserting that the serial blasts and terrorist attacks at Mumbai and the killing of innocent civilians in Sangakpham should be measured by the same yardstick, the AMUCO president demanded that befitting action need to be initiated against the perpetrators rather than shield them.

grimly noting failure of the Home Minister to arrive here and assess the overall situation in the aftermath of the Sangakpham blast, Rahman observed that such an attitude demonstrates the Govt of India's step-motherly treatment to the people of Manipur.