UNC calls shutdown today; ITLF condemns
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, July 16 2023:
United Naga Council (UNC) has imposed a 12-hour total shutdown in all Naga areas in Manipur from 6am to 6pm on Monday in connection with the killing of a Naga woman in Imphal.
The UNC also cautioned that further course of action will be initiated in the event of not fulfilling its demands within 48 hours.
UNC vice president N Gonmei Pa-jan told the media that the shutdown has been called as a mark of resentment against the brutal murder and tribute to innocent victim namely Lucy Marem, 57 daughter of Thoukhal Marem of Beaulahram village, Pallet, Chandel district.
According to N Pajan, UNC is aghast to learn the 'cold blooded' murder of Lucy and alleged that she was apprehended by Meira Paibis and handed over to Arambai Tenggol.
It is unimaginable for a women organisation like Meira Paibi who profess to be torch bearer of peace partaking in acts of killings, he added.
The vice president also said that UNC condemns such barbaric acts committed on innocent Nagas despite knowing her identity.
Since the beginning of unfortunate conflict between the Meeteis and the Kukis, the Nagas have maintained that peace must prevail, he said adding that vested interest parties who wish to drag Nagas into this conflict will not be spared.
He demanded that state government immediately constitute a judiciary inquiry committee and arrest perpetrators of the crime including those Meira Paibis who are complicit in the act of crime and exemplary punishment should be initiated upon the culprits.
He also said that UNC demanded that cold blooded killing of Lucy Maring must be brought in the limelight of justice befittingly as per the Naga customary law while declaring that Meetei civil society organisations will be equally held responsible for the 'despicable act' and hence their role and position must be made known to all concerned.
Meanwhile, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) strongly condemned the killing of Lucy Maring and reminded all concerned that it is for the second time that middle-aged tribal woman has been shot dead in Imphal by armed men.
Questioning as to how radicals from the Meetei community can continue killing innocent women just because of their ethnicity, the ITLF said their lack of moral character and humanity in the ongoing conflict should be sufficient indicators for the Centre to know that it is impossible for tribals to continue living together with majority community and total separation is the only solution.