CM meets victim families of Lilong incident, assures justice
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 02 2024:
Chief minister N Biren visited Lilong Chingjao on Tuesday and met the family members of the victims of Monday's Lilong incident.
During his visit, the CM assured all possible assistance to the victim families, including government jobs.
Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir, ministers L Susindro and H Dingo, MLAs Kh Ibomcha, Th Shanti and U Deben accompanied the chief minister during his visit.
The CM also assured to deliver justice to the victims and called for upholding the relationship of brotherhood between Meetei and Meitei Pangal while preventing unwanted incidents.
Earlier, the CM visited the injured victims at Raj Medicity and interacted with them, while assuring the victims that the government will bear the cost of their treatment.
Stating that Manipur is passing through a very crucial period, the CM questioned the rationale for inciting hatred and fighting among the people.
He further reiterated his stand to come out strongly against anyone taking the law into their own hands, and said that the government will not remain silent and take actions against anyone taking the law into their own hands.
In the event of AFSPA re-imposed by the Centre in view of the repeated disturbances created by various elements, those creating these disturbances should be held responsible, Biren said.
He called upon the people to identify the enemies of the state and to face them unitedly.
Urging people against taking the law into their own hands, the CM appealed to the people to inform or complain to the authorities concerned if they find anything suspicious so that the authorities can take necessary actions.
Lilong MLA Md Abdul Nasir and Wangoi MLA Kh Loken also visited the injured victims at Raj Medicity and enquired about their conditions.
Earlier on Monday night, chief minister N Biren, MLAs Abdul Nasir, Md Noorul Hassan, and Kh Loken posted video messages on social media appealing to the people to exercise restraints and not to communalise the issue.
They also called for cooperating with the government in taking up legal actions against the persons responsible for the incident.
CSOs like COCCOMI, AMMOCOC, AMUCO and others as well as local clubs of both Meetei and Meitei Pangal communities also made appeals to the public to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports on social media.
Meanwhile, the situation in Lilong Chingjao area, where four villagers were gunned down by unidentified assailants, remained calm but tense on Tuesday as additional security forces were deployed.
The toll in the incident increased to four after one more person succumbed to injuries, while two other critically injured persons are undergoing treatment.
Additional security forces have been deployed in the area and vehicular patrolling has been increased to prevent any untoward incident.
With curfew imposed in five districts of Imphal Valley in view of the 'prevailing law and order situation', few vehicles were seen plying roads as most commercial establishments remained closed.
Following the violence, curfew was imposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.
In a video message, CM Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to people, particularly the residents of Lilong, to maintain peace.
"Police are working to arrest those behind the attack.
They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said.
Local MLA Abdul Nasir said officials concerned have apprised him of the situation, and that the culprits will be nabbed soon.
CM N Biren also said that he is "highly upset" with the ongoing violence in Manipur and elements who engage in it will be held responsible for any stringent government action, including the re-imposition of AFSPA.
"Whatever is going on in the society now is too much.
The government will find it really hard to tolerate if anyone or any group keeps on taking the law into their own hands.
The central government will not keep on looking.
If AFSPA is again re-imposed, they will be held responsible," he said after visiting those injured in a firing incident at Lilong Chingjao area.
AFSPA was extended for six months in the hill areas of the state for six months since October last year and 19 police station areas Imphal valley area and an area that shares its boundary with neighbouring Assam were kept outside its purview despite the violent ethnic conflict that broke out in May.
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