UNC, ANSAM, LNR condemn assault of Naga man
Kukis have been provoking us no end : LNR
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati/Imphal, September 07 2023:
The United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM), the Liangmai Naga Ruangdi (LNR) and Zuinamai Foundation (Manipur and Nagaland), Tamei have condemned the assault and 'life attempt' on a Liangmai Naga man by cadres of Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) which is under SoO pact at Chalwa in Kangpokpi on September 5 .
56 year old Zuina Hotngambou of Lenglong village, Tamei sub-division, Tamenglong district was assaulted by KRA cadres while taking some bananas to Kangpokpi in a pick-up truck along with his wife and son for refusing to give Rs 300 to them.
While UNC said that the Naga people will no longer tolerate such provoking activities in the Naga people be it armed Kuki militants or civilians, the ANSAM asserted that the conduct of KRA was shameful.
President of LNR said that Kukis have been provoking the Liangmai Nagas.
The Zuinamai Foundation, on the other hand, urged the Government to provide adequate security along the IT Road for the safety of all commuters.
It also asked the Kuki and Naga CSOs to intervene and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.
In a statement signed by its information and publicity secretary James Hau, the UNC said they, in no uncertain terms, condemn the brutal assault meted out to Zuina Hotngambou by KRA cadres which is under SoO pact.
Stating that a blatant act of extortion or unabated imposition upon the Nagas is a matter of serious concern and UNC has taken strong exception to it, it continued that the Naga people will no longer tolerate any unholy and provoking activities in Naga villages.
"Be it armed Kuki militants or civilians, such wanton and reckless showdown should be stopped to avert from further misunderstanding and unwanted escalation," the UNC cautioned while referring to the brutal assault on the Liangmai Naga man.
Asserting that the perpetrators shouldn't be left scot-free to deliver justice to the victim, the UNC said that all authorities concerned and community leaders must initiate necessary actions to bring an amicable solution.
The Liangmai Naga Ruangdi (LNR) said that Kukis are continuously provoking the Liangmai Nagas.
Condemning the assault, LNR president Joseph Kingudi said that such incidents have immense potential for a full scale flare-up.
The LNR is the apex body of the Liangmai people of Nagaland and Manipur.
Joseph Kingudi also said that if anyone is estimating the peace loving people of Liangmai Nagas as being weak then someone is making a serious mistake.
He also said that Kukis have been provoking the Liangmai Nagas but "our maturity has been the reason that there are no unwanted situations." However, the LNR chief said that there is a limit to everything.
"Our patience has been tested time and again by the Kukis", he said and added that LNR is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, ANSAM said that Zuina Hotngambou was assaulted by the cadres for refusing to give Rs 300 and it was nothing but cowardice.
Continuing that the shameful act of KRA is a matter of prestige for the organisation, ANSAM added that the Nagas have been maintaining neutrality in the ongoing conflict to restore normalcy.
ANSAM cautioned that no community should take advantage of their position.
ANSAM said that they have been observing the situation with patience but will not remain as a mere spectator if the Nagas are harmed repeatedly.
It appealed to the authorities and leaders concerned to take up actions against the two KRA cadres who assaulted the Liangmai Naga man.