ANSAM, SDSA, SDWA strongly condemn assault of Naga youths
Accused AT points finger at another group
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, October 31 2024: The All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and three frontal associations of Senapati have accused the Arambai Tenggol (AT) of assaulting two Poumai individuals at Lamshang today at around 3 am .

In a joint statement, Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) and Senapati District Women's Association (SDWA) said that V Hrangao Blesson Poumai, s/o Veino from Kodom Khullen Village and Dalou Poumai, s/o Hrinii of Liyai Khullen Village were violently assaulted by members of AT (Unit 18) in the wee hours today.

Arambai Tenggol clarifies

AT (Unit 18), meanwhile, clarified that it was the members of KCP (Ibungo Ngangom group) who assaulted the two Poumai individuals.

Saying that they went to meet the two individuals on learning that they have been detained at an area falling under their jurisdiction by some persons, AT said that they didn't assault the two individuals.

It also said that the two individuals were assaulted by the members of KCP (Ibungo Ngangom) after they left the place.

Questionable says ANSAM

Condemning the incident, ANSAM 'strongly' urged the relevant authority to take up swift, expeditious and befitting action against the perpetrators involved in committing the barbaric act.

Narrating the sequence of the incident, the ANSAM, in a statement, said that, on October 31, 2024, around 2 am, a "very unfortunate incident" took place at Lamshang where two Naga civilians Hrangao Blesson and Dalou Poumai were physically assaulted and "seriously tortured" by members of Arambai Tenggol (AT) Unit-18 while they were returning from a livestock purchase in Thoubal.

"Despite the victims' disclosure about their identities as Poumai Naga from Senapati district, they were stopped, detained and dragged into their Unit 18 AT camp and subjected to serious physical torture leaving behind multiple injuries and bruises on their bodies," ANSAM claimed.

ANSAM also alleged that the two Poumai Naga civilians were repeatedly threatened and a sum of Rs 61,400 was seized from them at gunpoint.

ANSAM strongly condemns the "bestial act of the Arambai Tengol (AT) towards the innocent Naga civilians", it said and added that such "vicious acts of the AT who claim themselves to be an organisation formed to defend their community land, protect its people and stand for the cause in the name of peace tantamount to a self operating system of a brutish nature defaming their legacy and its existence" .

The Naga student body said the barbaric acts of AT upon the innocent civilians is highly questionable and condemnable by all.

The ANSAM said that Nagas in Manipur have been maintaining the position of neutrality since the beginning of the mayhem going on between the two warring communities.

It also said that taking the prevailing situation back to normalcy has always been 'our utmost priority as a peace loving community' while also condemning all forms of violence in the State.

"We have neither supported nor stood as an agency to any of the warring communities," ANSAM said and added that Nagas, however, are always becoming the victims of the conflict as witnessed from various incidents and crimes repeatedly committed towards the Naga civilians by both the warring communities.

48 hours ultimatum served

NPO, SDSA and SDWA, on the other hand, urged the Government to deliver justice to both the victims within 48 hours.

They said that they will pursue further action to safeguard their community if their demand is not entertained.

The organisations also claimed that Rs 61, 400 was seized from Blesson and Dalou at gunpoint.

Saying that the assault of the two Poumai Naga individuals constitutes not only a direct violation of their dignity and fundamental rights but also an affront to the value of entrepreneurship, hard work and community contribution, the three organisations alleged that the behaviour of AT undermines the principles of professionalism, respect and peace 'that our society strives to uphold' .

Questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in preventing such incidents, NPO, SDSA and SDWA urged the police and judicial authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and book the perpetrators.

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