Harassment of four girls on Airport road
UNC, TNL and other Tangkhul CSOs decry
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Imphal/Ukhrul, May 25 2023: The United Naga Council (UNC) has condemned the 'heinous crime' committed by an 'unruly' mob on four Tangkhul girls at Kwakeithel near ASIAN Hospital on May 24 .

In a statement issued by its information and publicity wing, the UNC said that the girls were attacked while they were on their way to Imphal Airport to catch an afternoon flight to Mumbai.

Saying that rule of law is at a very low ebb, the Council said that the 'ugly episode' which occurred in broad daylight at Kwakeithel Bazar yesterday is not an isolated case of mob culture.

"While Naga civil society organisations are constantly appealing for restoration of peace and normalcy in the State, worsening law and order situation inspite 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," the UNC said.

The Council also claimed that the four Tangkhul girls were halted, caught hold on their hair and forcibly dragged down from an auto rickshaw, struck with iron rod, their shirts torn, their luggages destroyed and their bra laces unclasped while security personnel on duty dressed in dark green uniform remained a mute spectator.

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

The UNC also condemned the 'ill-conceived motive of an organisation for dragging the name of the Council in a press briefing after the incident without their knowledge and consent' .

"For good or bad, taking the name of any organisation without the former's knowledge is a serious crime.

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

The Tangkhul apex customary body Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Hyderabad, Tangkhul Shanao Ngarum Saklong, Delhi and conglomeration of five Tangkhul zonal students bodies (Raphei Katamnao Long, Zingtun Katamnao Long, Sagolmang Area Naga Students Association, Zingsho Katamnao Long, Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long) have also expressed strong discontentment against the mob attack on the four Tangkhul girls yesterday.

The Tangkhul organisations also condemned the Central Control Room of police for its statement which allegedly tried to cover up the incident.

As per the Tangkhul organisations, the control room of the police stated, "It is absolutely false and there is no incident as such" .

Accusing the Central Control Room of police of trying to deceive the masses without any verification, they said that concealing the physical assault of the innocent persons is an act of deceiving the masses.

A press conference was held today at Viewland, Ukhrul.

At the function, TNL president David K Shimray said that they take the matter very seriously and are monitoring the situation to ensure justice is delivered to the four 'victims' from Ukhrul.

David further stated that the persons who attacked the girls must tender an apology to settle the issues in a good gesture.

Any problems or issues related to the Tangkhul community have to be settled through the TNL office, he added.

Mentioning that such all irresponsible inhuman acts should be discouraged by all, he further appealed to all communities living in Manipur to contribute in restoring peace and normalcy in the State.

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