UNC suspends stir, Lucy's body to be claimed today
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 18 2023:
Representatives of United Naga Council (UNC) and Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (CO-COMI) met Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the presence of Transport, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry minister Khashim Vashum, Nungba MLA & Hills Area Committee (HAC) chairman Dinganglung Gangmei and Chandel MLA SS Olish on Tuesday afternoon and reached an agreement in connection with the killing of Maring Naga woman Lucy Marem.
Following the agreement, UNC immediately called off its protest.
Meanwhile, the body of Lucy, which is laying at JNIMS morgue, would be claimed on Wednesday after conduct of post-mortem examination.
Addressing a press meet held in this regard at Manipur Press Club on Tuesday, UNC president Ng Lorho said that-Lucy's killing could be considered as an incident which could lead to communal.
He then urged for strict punishment of all those involved in the killing, while strongly condemning the outrageous act.
However, after a joint meeting with COCOMI representatives and the government, an agreement was reached.
The meeting agreed to carry out all necessary steps in accordance with ritual/customary law, in addition to supporting the education and future career of Lucy's only daughter.
Further, efforts need to be made to prevent a repeat of such incident in the future for it will be the loss of everyone, he conveyed.
Ng Lorho then announced that as per the agreement to ensure smooth completion of police investigation, UNC has decided to withdraw its call for 48-hour protest.
Lucy's body, which is at JNIMS morgue, would be claimed for conduct of final rites after the post-mortem examination on Wednesday.
COCOMI coordinator Jee-tendra Ningomba, who also attended the press meet, said that detailed discussion was held with 'our brethren' from Naga community through its apex body, UNC.
After much deliberation, the agreement was reached in the interest of our communal bonds and Manipur itself.
He then emphasised the need for all concerned to be able to differentiate between who's who, while adding that it is extremely heinous to attack women and children in times of conflict.
Thus, all must uphold the basic principles and make concerted efforts to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, he emphasised.
Mention may be made here that representatives of UNC and COCOMI met the CM in the presence of Veterinary minister Khashim Vashum, HAC chairman Dinganglung Gangmei and MLA Olish on Tuesday around 5pm.The representatives of UNC expressed their anguish at the brutal killing of M Lucy (Maring Naga), originally of Narum village and who was residing at Beaulalram, Pal-lel, Tengnoupal district and also at Langol Game Village Zone III, Quarter no.A-99, at Sawombung on July 15 .
The representatives placed their grievances before the CM.
COCOMI, by owning up moral responsibility, expressed regret over the brutal killing of M Lucy and tendered sincere apology before the Naga delegates led by UNC.
The CM also condemned the inhuman crime and shared his grief and sympathy with the family members of late Lucy and the UNC representatives.
He assured that justice will not only be done, but also be seen to be done.
Later, a memorandum of agreement was signed between UNC president Ng Lorho, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba and secretary to CM Ningthoujam Geoffrey.
UNC and COCOMI agreed to ensure that the culprits shall be taken into custody, and given befitting punishment in accordance with law.
The state government and its agencies will ensure that the investigation is taken up with utmost seriousness and swiftness.
The state government will pay an amount of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of late M Lucy to fulfil the agreement as per Naga customary law.
The government will also pay an amount of Rs 5 lakh to meet ritual requirements, according to Maring customary law, in addition to another Rs 5 lakh to meet the educational needs of Lucy's daughter Marim Shangpui.
The government will further pro vide employment to Marim Shangpui in a government post commensurate with her educational qualification when she becomes eligible in age for such employment.
It was also agreed that COCOMI shall initiate steps to ensure that no such untoward incident/harassment is given to any community in future, while UNC agreed to suspend all forms of agitation and extend cooperation to the police to facilitate early compldfoh of investigation.
It may be recalled that Lamlai police has registered a case in connection with Lucy's killing and arrested nine people, who have been remanded to police custody for further investigation.
Comment
