ATUM contradicts 'self'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 24 2015: Refuting the statement of issued by S Munthuireng yesterday, RT Akhel said that the claim that Aimol is among the Naga tribes is untrue and baseless.

Interestingly, both S Munthuireng and RT Akhel are claiming to presidents of the Aimol Tribe Union Manipur (ATUM) .

RT Akhel today said that people of Aimol and the union abide by the principle of neutrality as adopted by the people.

Aimol people or ATUM never declared Aimol as a Naga tribe till date.

However, there was an instance where Munthuireng Aimol, former president of the union made a declaration for his vested interest without the mandate of the Aimol people that Aimol is a Naga tribe.

Munthuireng was removed from the president of ATUM for making the declaration in violation of the principle of neutrality by people of Aimol at Aimol Ngairong village on June 23, 2015, it said.

RT Akhel urged all concerned organisations not to entertain any statement issued by Munthuireng on behalf of ATUM.

ATUM condemned the indiscriminate firing and lobbing of hand grenade inside the house of former assistant chief of Aimol Ngairong.

The Union also strongly condemned the cold-blooded killing of S Wanglunglua alias Manglun Aimol after torturing him on Aug 22 by 'traitors' of Aimol tribe under the leadership of S Munthui-reng and Korsosong alias Alim of NSCN-IM.

Manglun Aimol was killed for upholding the identity, rights, cultures and custom of Aimol tribe, Akhel asserted.

ATUM also clarified that the UKLF cadres have never tortured or harassed people of Aimol as alleged by Munthuireng.

Instead, they are helping the tribe by providing monetary and logistic support to the tribe for the construction of Aimol Tribe hall at Aimol Tampak.

ATUM further acknowledged the support of concerned civil organisations in the tribe's endeavour to protect its identity while also appealing to all concerned not to mete out harassment to Aimol people who are a minority and peace loving people.

It thanked the State Govt for providing security and ensuring normalcy in the area.

BODIES CONDEMN: Komrem Union, Manipur (NEI) has vehemently condemned the killing of S Walunglua Aimol and the grenade attack at a resident by armed militants while sharing the grief of the bereaved family.

KRUM in a statement urged the perpetrators of the crime not to repeat such acts in future.

It urged the Aimol brethren not to resort to violent confrontation but settle their differences through talks.

Terming the incident at Aimol Ngairong on Aug 22 as unfortunate, the Indigenous Minority Organisation, Manipur (IMOM) has appealed to all concerned to refrain from such acts in future.

Comment