NPP appeals not to target unarmed women
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 17 2023:
Decrying the killing of Lucy Marem, former deputy chief minister and national vice-president of National People's Party (NPP) Y Joykumar has appealed to the public to stop targeting unarmed civilian women while stating that killing such innocent people is not a means to protect the state's territory.
Addressing a press conference at the party's state office at Naoremthong, Imphal West on Monday, Joykumar said that NPP strongly condemns the killing of Lucy Marem-It is unfortunate to have such incidents amid the crisis in the state even though emotions and tensions are high among the people.
At the same time, as Meetei and Naga have close relationship such unwanted incidents have the potential to divert the issue, he cautioned.
Taking note on the allegation on Arambai Tenggol raised by UNC, he said that the former should clarify publicly whether they are involved or not.
Holding the Kuki militant groups under SoO agreement and narco-terrorists responsible for the current unrest in the state, he said that not every Kukis hate Meetei and the latter should understand this fact.
At the same time, one should up hold the principle of humanity while lighting for a cause and one should not target any unarmed civilians whether they are Kukis or Nagas.
There was also a similar incident of killing an innocent Kuki woman in Imphal.
Such acts are cold blooded murder and people should avoid them, he said.
Joykumar then urged the government to take up stern action to deter such acts in the future.
While recount ing his stint and experience in the police organisation before joining politics, the former MLA expressed that Lucy's case is a cold blooded murder, which the police should investigate expeditiously and award capital punishment to the guilty persons.
Joykumar also urged CSOs like COCOMI spearheading the movement to steer the public to the right path, and also to do show solidarity to the bereaved family.
NPP Youth Front Manipur president Laiton-jam Jayananda, NPP state vice-president Urikkhinbam Romesh and executive members Lourembam Sanjay & Oinam Romen also attended the press conference.