ANSAM condemns, MLA pleas for peace dialogue
Source: Chronicle News Service / NNN

Senapati/Imphal, September 29 2023: All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), while strongly condemning the killing of the two students - Linthoingambi Hijam and Hemanjit Phijam - said it was deeply shocked to come across viral photographs of the two students who went missing from July 6, 2023, "and we are deeply saddened by abduction and murder of the innocent students" .

Joining the condemnation chorus, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah conveyed heartfelt condolences over the abduction and killing of two students and appealed to all concerned to begin peace dialogues.

In a condolence message, the MLA expressed deep sadness over the abduction and murder of two innocent students namely Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi, who went missing since July 6 .

He also conveyed his condolences and sorrow to the bereave families of nearly 200 precious lives lost during past 4 months irrespective of communities, tribe, caste or creed.

"This mindless and senseless killing has gone on too long.

The time has come to say enough is enough and put an immediate stop to this madness," he stressed and appealed to the state government as well as the civil societies of Manipur to sit across the table and start dialogue.

"As the saying goes, 'talking is better than fighting', war is never a solution it only brings mutual miseries.

It is true that the worst animal instinct comes out of man when it comes to estate or land.

However, as a civilized society, we must sit back, pause and ponder the wisdom of settling issues through violence," the MLA stated.

Pointing out that no violence has ever solved a problem in history, the MLA said that a better sense must prevail.

If there is goodwill, there is no problem in this world that humans cannot solve, the MLA remarked, adding that the time has also come to show the mettle of true leadership and statesmanship and bring an amicable solution and restore peace which is also the primary and moral responsibility of a democratic government.

Meanwhile, ANSAM said the two missing students - Linthoingambi and Hemanjit - were suspected to have been kidnapped and killed by "suspected armed gangs" as seen in the viral photographs circulated on social media.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and our heart also goes out to all the families who lost their dear ones during these dark days in the state of Manipur" .

The ANSAM, "as an apex Naga students' body which is committed for the welfare of all the students community and deeply work for the peace and wellbeing of the society, strongly condemns the cold blooded murder of the two innocent students who have been missing without any traces" .

The Naga student body also condemned all forms violence and killing in the state and prayed for shunning of all forms of violence to pave the way for ushering in peace.

ANSAM also fervently appealed to the state and central governments to take up swift action against the perpetrators involved in committing "such inhumane act" so that the culprits are immediately booked and justice is served at the earliest as per the law of the land.

While condemning such crimes and sympathising with the aggrieved families and community, "we are also perturbed by the government actions; declaring blanket ban of internet and closure of all schools in the state of Manipur which is no logical at all" .

The Naga student body said eruption of massive protests in Imphal and other places of valley districts do not merit blanket banning of internet and closure of schools in the whole state.

"We don't object applying any stricture in those contentious areas as a situation containing measure by the government but it should not apply uniformly to all parts of the state that has been maintaining peace all this while.

The government needs to be more sensitive on the different situations and geographical situations of the state in dealing issues, otherwise it will surely trigger another problem," the ANSAM added.

In light of these concerns, the ANSAM appealed to the state government to lift the internet shutdown order from the "neutral zone especially Naga areas" to ease the plight of the public.

Comment