Tuiniphai chief sets record straight
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, December 27 2013 : Denying occurrence of any incident in which 26 villagers from Haokip Veng were allegedly beaten up by URF cadres in Tuiniphai village, the residents of Tuiniphai village have condemned the so-called unruly peace-shattering and provocative activities of some men and women who forcibly entered Tuiniphai village of Churachandpur district in south Manipur on the pretext of celebrating Christmas on December 20 last.

Letsei Vaiphei, chief of Tuiniphai village told the media at the Press Club here on Friday that the intent of the 31 individuals was to settle down in the village permanently.

Calling them outsiders, he said that they suddenly arrived at the village in a truck, owned by one Kaizathang Tungdim of Zou Veng, Churachandpur, and a Tata Winger van in collusion with the militant outfit Zou Defence Volunteers (ZDV) without prior approval and permission of either the village authority or the local church.

ZDV, a little known group, is one of the members to the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an umbrella organisation of various Kuki militant groups, which is now under suspension of operation.

Letsei said these men and women came to the village at the behest of one Michael Zou, home secretary of ZDV, who had sent a letter to the chief of Tuiniphai village and former chief of the village Tongkhogin Tungdim informing that they were coming to the village to celebrate Christmas.

"Such an act is not only provocative, but also against the spirit of decency and a cultured life.

It's against the tribal customary law, Christian practices, and the law of the land," he said. He explained that, as a matter of fact, no outsider has any right or religious compulsion to celebrate Christmas in Tuiniphai village, settle in the village, and claim ownership of any part of the village's land without approval and authentic documents.

The village chief also appealed to all concerned to stop following the path of hatred and violence for the sake of peace and communal harmony, and requested the authorities concerned to take up necessary action as per the law of the land to avoid further problem.

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