Many flays Chandel incident but urge to lift stir
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 22 2012: Cutting across community line, various social organizations have come out strongly against the incident of molesting and assaulting film actress Momoco by one RV Livingstone, who is said to be a lieutenant colonel of NSCN (IM) during a musical concert at Chandel district headquarters on December 19 .

Endorsing the cause for justice, however, they have also appealed to Film Forum, Manipur and other social organizations involved in enforcement of the ongoing indefinite bandh, for reviewing the stand in view of the upcoming Christmas festival.

Leading the condemnation, President of All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) Rev Prim Vaiphei said that though it stands with those groups who are condemning the Momoko incident of Chandel, calling a state-wide bandh to press the demand for punishing of the perpetrator is a wrong step.

"We stand with all those who condemn the unfortunate incident that befell Ms.Momoko at Chandel.

Without doubt it was a beastly act without excuse.

However, it would be a tragedy upon tragedy to press the demand for a just punishment of the perpetrator with a state-wide bandh, especially at this time of the year.

Christmas season is in full swing and many brethren from the hills are deprived of the opportunity of last minute Christmas shopping, and many of them who are already here in Imphal are stuck and not able to go back."Moreover, we also have the assurance from the state government of its utmost effort to nab the culprit.

So we would like to make an earnest appeal to the Momoko JAC to lift up the indefinite bandh at the earliest.

Prolonging the bandh will only victimise all of us, Rev Prim Vaiphei cautioned.

In another statement, issued by its publicity and information secretary Rev..LSimon Raomai, AMCO, the apex body representing all the Christians of the State, strongly condemned the unfortunate and untoward incident which happened on the 18th December, 2012 at Maha Union Higher Secondary School ground, Chandel, and said that while we are awaiting for the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Love, Hope, and Peace, it is beyond our imagination that such a disgraceful and barbaric incident can happen in our land.

This evil act committed by one Livingstone upon a young girl who is our sister/daughter of own family hurts the sentiments of the people of our region and beyond.

"The Organisation expresses deep sorrow over the tragic episode and barbarism which is unthinkable in this civilized age.

This kind of indiscipline and unrestrained conduct hampers the peaceful coexistence of brotherhood in this beautiful land.

The AMCO also appeals and advises the guilty-offender to apologize to the offended party in order to bring normalcy in our State through love and reconciliation", the statement said, adding that "wefervently pray to God that no such shameful act should recur in our society disrupting love, peace and harmony prevailing amongst us.

We earnestly pray that God will grant her and her family comfort and solace" .

At the same time, AMCO also earnestly appealed to Film Forum Manipur (FFM), Civil Organisations, and to all the right thinking and peace loving citizens of Manipur to call-off the bandh in the interest of the innocent people of this State who are undergoing untold miseries and for the sake of the Christmas Celebrations, which is the biggest festival of Christian brethren.

Naga Women's Union, Manipur (NWUM) has also strongly condemned the molestation and assault of Manipuri digital film actress Kh.

Momoco by RV.

Livingstone of NSCN (IM).

In a statement issued by its publicity wing, NWUM said, "we expressed our heartfelt unhappiness for the unfortunate incident - physical harm, public humiliation and mental trauma that she went through.

The culprit should be dealt with according to the law of the land.

"However, we also agree to the view that such incident should not be politicized or communalized and the whole community should not be taken to ransom out of an individual act.

There have been other more heinous crimes perpetrated to civilians such as the gang rape of one Rongmei woman earlier this year.

However, there were no bandhs called to neither restrict public mobility nor disturb normal life.

By expressing this, we do not condone the crime but at the same time, we also do not encourage the culture of public bandhs and blockades, especially during this festive season", NWUM said, while appealing to Film Forum Manipur (FFM) and other organizations involved to lift the bandh in the interest of the public in general.

Meantime, Naga Women Community has also denounced the indiscriminate killing of Mr.Boudiyang Panmei by an armed gunman.

Such mindless killing reveals to the extent of our degenerated society where life has no value.

Naga Women Community shares the sorrow and grief of the bereaved family.

Tangkhul Shanao Long (Tangkhul Women's League) has strongly condemned the alleged molestation and assault of Momoco Khangembam by one Livingstone Anal, during a musical concert evening at Chandel on December 18 .

While condemning such cowardly act committed on a woman, TSL urged the concerned authority to take up necessary measures to punish the culprit and also ensure such incident does not take place in the future.

The incident is very unfortunate and should be condemned by every right thinking citizen, President of Tangkhul Shanao Long Silla Konghay and Secretary S Asha said in a joint statement.

Condemning the December 18 incident oat Maha Union Higher Secondary School ground at Chandel district headquarters were Manipuri film actress Momoco was not only molested and assaulted but also fired at two other artistes by NSCN (IM)'s Lt Col Livingstone, Sadar Hills Women Union (SHWU) has pointed out that the scandalous and detestable act of Livingstone is totally against the doctrine of Christianity and disrupts the environment ahead of Christmas.

In a statement, Information and Publicity wing of SHWU said that the Union supports the indefinite bandh being called by Film Forum Manipur, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and many civil society organizations.

However, now is the time particularly for the Christian community to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with peace and harmony in the entire.

So, the Union appealed to the Government to ensure that no such malevolent incidents ever happen again in the future and also appealed to every single individual not to disrupt the peaceful environment of the state ahead and during Christmas and New Year celebration in the interest of the Christian community.

Condemning the incident, Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore (MMAB) has described the conduct of Livingstone as an uncivilized act.

We need to respect women and each and every human being, publicity and communication team of MMAB said in a statement and urged the concerned authorities to take appropriate action against the culprit.

Thangmeiband United Club (TUC)also expressed solidarity with the ongoing uprising against the incapable Government on its failure to book the culprit and condemned such uncivilized and inhuman act of the cadre of NSCN (IM) .

All Clubs of Thangmeiband would supporting any kind of agitation decided by the JAC formed in connection with this incident, Secretary General of TUC Ng Ghanashyam announced.

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