TNL, UNC, others condemn assault of four Tangkhul girls
Source: Chronicle News Service / NNN

Ukhrul/Imphal, May 25 2023: Taking serious note of the physical assault of four innocent girls from Ukhrul in Imphal on May 24, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has said that it is deeply perturbed by the incident and is ready to take up the matter as per the Tangkhul customary laws.

Briefing media persons at his office chamber on Thursday, TNL president David K Shimray said the four inno-cent girls were assaulted in the most inhuman and brutal manner by the mob by dragging them down from the auto they were travelling in.

"We condemn the brutal assault of our innocent girls in Imphal while on their way to the airport on Wednes-day in which the mob attacked them with iron bar, torn their clothes, and scrambled their belongings," he said.

TNL, UNC, others condemn assault of four Tangkhul girls

He said that TNL has taken a serious view of the matter and will take it up as per the Tangkhul customary laws to ensure justice for the innocent victims.

Demanding that the perpetrators be booked at the earliest, he said that until the perpetrators turn up at TNL and tender apology "we won't entertain any organisations acting on behalf of the perpetrators.

This won't resolve the matter." He said that what is more unfortu-nate is the way in which AK Jhalajit Singh, i/c of the Central Control Room, 1MR Banquet Hall, Imphal, tried to cover up the incident by issuing a press note claiming that "It was absolutely false and there is no incident as such".

"We have also noted this seriously and will take up the matter accordingly," the TNL chief warned.

United Naga Council (UNC) also "ve-hemently condemned the heinous crime committed by an unruly mob on the four Tangkhul Naga girls around 11.30 am near Kwakeithel on May 24, while they were on their way to Tuhi-lal International Airport to catch the afternoon flight en route Mumbai".

In a statement issued by its Informa-tion and Publicity Wing on Thursday, I: NC said while Naga civil society or-ganisations are constantly appealing for restoration of peace and normalcy in the state, worsening of law and order situation in Manipur in-spite of the promulgation of Article 355 and frequent occurrence of arson, killing and harassment at sporadic places speaks volumes that the 'rule of law' is at a very low ebb.

It said that assault of the four "inno-cent girls" hailing from Namrei village, Ukhrul district, is not an isolated case of mob culture.

"They were halted, caught hold on their hair and forcibly dragged down from the auto rickshaw, struck with iron rod, tore their shirts and two of their luggage destroyed in the process of the mob attack while security per-sonnel on duty dressed in dark green uniform remained a mute spectator", the Naga Council alleged.

"As reported, one among the men in uniform loaded the gun and threatened them not to move further," the UNC further alleged.

It also condemned the "ill-con-ceived motive of an organisation for dragging the name of the UNC in a press briefing aftermath the incident without the knowledge and consent of the Council".

UNC then added: "For good or bad, taking the name of any organisation without the former's knowledge is a se-rious crime.

Henceforth, the person(s) involved is advised not to repeat such reckless mistake in future".

Various Tangkhul organisations under Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) also vehemently condemned the barbar-ic attack meted out to four Tangkhul women at Kwakeithel on May 24 .

"The inhuman violence committed against Lotus R Shimray d/o Kamka R Shim-ray, Somipem R Shimray d/o Ngaraipam R Shimray, Ramsowon R Shimray d/ o Ngashanmi R Shimray and Philathing Kapai d/o Phillip Kapai, all bonafide residents of Namrei village, were bound for Mumbai and on their way to Bir Tikend-rajit International Airport," said a joint press statement issued by TKS, Raphei Kat-amnao Long (RKL), Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long (ZTKL), SANSA, Zingsho Katamnao Long (ZKL), and Tangkhul Ate Katamnao Long (TAKL).

"We are deeply anguished by the violent incident, and demand the relevant au-thorities to take necessary actions against the perpetra-tors at the earliest possible," it said and also criticised Central Control Room i/c AK Jhalajit Singh for terming the incident as false report.