Man clears air on Nongpok Sekmai incident
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 30 2023: While vehemently decrying the act of torching a vehicle at Nongpok Sekmai village on June 28 on the alleged ground of transporting clothes, guns and bombs for Kuki militants, one Khum-bongmayum Ronel, who was transporting the clothes, said that the charge is fabricated and malicious' .

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here on Friday, Ronel of Singjamei Wangma Bheigyabati Leikai, said he used to provide transport service from Imphal to Moreh before the crisis.

On June 28, he along with his friend Bobo of Lilong Chajing went to drop some clothes in a shop owned by his friend Wungkating Ragui of Ashang Khullen, Ukhrul.

When they reached Nongpok Sekmai, the locals stopped them and checked the vehicle.

Upon finding some lungri, the mob accused them of transporting clothes, guns and bombs for Kukis.

He, however, told them that the clothes are for his Naga friend for sale and even called Wungkating Ragui there, who too arrived and explained to the mob that the clothes were meant for his shop.

However, the mob burned the vehicle, which belonged to his friend Bobo.

Consequently, locals of Lilong Chajing also vandalised Bobo's house without verifying the allegation and banished him from the locality.

Ronel further informed that his wife Shanchuila Awungshi is a Tangkhul Naga from Leihaoram village in Ukhrul district and her parents are Awungshi Yangmaso and Leishiwon Hungyo.

He told the mob about this and even showed their aadhaar card copies.

However, the mob kept insisting that one of her parents must be a Kuki, he recounted.

Decrying the mob violence, he said that people of Nongpok Sekmai should be held responsible for the incident and destruction of properties.

Denying any allegation of helping Kukis in the current crisis, Ronel said that he will happily accept any action if they can furnish evidence on the allegation.

Wungkating Ragui, who also attended the press meet, said that Ronel is his friend and he requested him to bring the clothes for his shop, which is located in Wang-li market.

He even went to Nongpok Sekmai and told the mob about the truth but they torched the consignment and the vehicle, he recounted while urging all concerned to refrain from such mob violence on assumption.

He also said that both Ronel and Bobo are innocent.

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