Tangkhul TFOs give 48-hour to nab culprits
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, December 06 2023: While strongly condemning the assault of three persons from Ukhrul by unidentified gunmen on December 3, Tangkhul Frontal Organisations (TFOs) have set a 48-hour ultimatum for the state government to book the culprits involved in the crime and deliver justice to the victims.

Briefing the media at Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) office here on Wednesday evening, TNWL president SA Ramnganing, Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) president Thingreiphi Lungharwo and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) president Ramreichan Keishing strongly condemned the callous act meted against the three persons from Tangkhul community who were heading towards Ukhrul from Imphal on the fateful night.

"We demand the state government to act and book the culprits within 48 hours and ensure the safety of the commuters along the Imphal - Ukhrul road.

We condemn the Meira Paibis working hand in gloves with the armed groups," they said while also demanding adequate compensation to the traumatised victims at the earliest.

"Failing these demands, the same shall be considered as a wilful act carried out in congruence with the state government and we shall act accordingly," the TFO leaders warned.

They also mentioned that they personally interacted with the victims who related their ordeals to them.

Meanwhile, in a joint press communique, TFOs including Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL) stated that as communicated, it is learnt that the victims were stopped at Sawombung by 30-40 Meira Paibis and inquired their identities.

"They produced their Aadhaar card and thus verified.

However, before they were relieved, one Maruti Gypsy vehicle with five armed men came and took the trio to a place of about 5 minutes travel distance from the place where they were stopped initially.

Then, they were kept separately at distance, interrogated and blamed as informants of Kukis, beaten severely and threatened to kill by pointing their guns saying their bodies will be disposed in the river.

Then, they were again taken to another location and continued terrorising them and asked to run.

But they refused, saying they had done nothing wrong," the statement said, calling the act inflicted to the innocent citizens as inhumane and unwarranted.

The statement continued that such incidents have become accustomed in the name of safeguarding the community interest or mistaken identity.

"In many of such past incidents, the community in good faith has tolerated enough with the sense of forgiveness.

However, the repeated atrocities meted to the innocent citizens have once again broken the secured feelings and called our attention to question the intention of the Meetei community," it said.

Meanwhile, Tushen Chanhong Village Authority, Tushen Chanhong Youth & Students' Organisation and Tushen Chanhong Shanao Long have vehemently condemned the incident and demanded justice for the three innocent victims and book the perpetrators at the earliest.

The village organisations have also urged the Tangkhul civil societies to secure justice for the victims.

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