Bodies laud swift action, demand justice in assault case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 08 2024: Rongmei Naga Students' Organization Manipur (RNSOM) and Rongmei Naga Youth Organization Manipur (RNYOM) have lauded chief minister N Biren Singh, Hill Areas Committee (HAC) chairman Dinganglung Gangmei, and the Manipur police for their swift action in response to the brutal assault of Joshua Kamei, a driver for the NF Railway Construction.

Joshua Kamei was reportedly abducted around noon on November 5 from the village gate of Keikhu Kabui Khul in Imphal East by armed persons.

A joint release of RNSOM and RNYOM praised the prompt intervention by the authorities, which led to Joshua Kamei's rescue and the apprehension of those responsible for the act.

On the chief minister's strong instruction, a police team promptly apprehended cadres of the armed SOREPA, the organisations said, quoting police sources.

The arrests were made at a hideout where arms and ammunition were also recovered, and four SOREPA cadres are currently in the custody of Imphal East police, the release revealed.

The organisations also said: "It is learnt from reliable sources that the Arambai Tenggol (AT) was not involved in the brutal abduction and assault of Kamei".

The Rongmei bodies also noted that in a plural society like Manipur, hegemony of a dominant group of community should not be imposed upon other minority ethnic tribal groups, particularly the Nagas.

"The Nagas have been neutral in the ongoing ethnic conflict, but will no longer remain a silent spectator to any atrocities, abductions, attacks, hijacking of vehicles and properties and looting of hard-earned money from poor Naga villagers entering the valley," the release added.

"We will wait and watch for the next course of action as only four culprits involved in the case have been apprehended by the police.

We will not remain silent until justice is delivered to the victim by initiating punitive actions against all culprits involved according to the law," the bodies said and demanded requisite medical treatment for the victim, the cost of which borne by the government and the culprits.

On the other hand, Naga People's Union, Imphal (NPUI), condemning the assault of Joshua Kamei, submitted a memorandum to chief minister N Biren demanding immediate-action against the culprits.

"Innocent Naga citizens in the valley areas particularly Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching are not safe," NPUI lamented, while urging Naga public residing in the valley to be careful and vigilant while going about their daily activities and works.

Keikhu Pei Imphal East also condemned abduction and torture of Joshua Kamei by unknown miscreants on the way to his rented house at Keikhu Kabui village.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) denounced the assault on V Hangao Bleson Paomai of Kodom Khullen Khun and Dalou Paomai of Liyai Khullen by unidentified miscreants on October 31 at Lamsang and on Joshua Kamei on November 5.In a release, COCOMI said that authorities concerned are empowered to punish individuals after establishing the truth and determining their guilt.

However, it is unacceptable that some individuals, taking advantage of the conflict, act as they please, causing harm without regard for others.

Such act will never be supported or endorsed by COCOMI, it asserted, and appealed to the government to look into the incidents and take appropriate actions.

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