Lucy Maring murder case Govt, UNC, COCOMI ink MoU
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati/Imphal, July 18 2023:
The State Government, the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) held a meeting today on the killing of M Lucy Maring.
With the State Government agreeing to compensate the bereaved family, an MoU was signed between the State Government, COCOMI and the UNC.
Representatives of the UNC and COCOMI met Chief Minister N Biren at 5 pm on Tuesday in the presence of Khashim Vashum, Minister, Transport, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Dinganglung Gangmei, MLA Nungba AC & Chairman, Hills Area Committee and SS Olish, MLA, Chandel AC .
The UNC representatives expressed their anguish at the brutal killing of M Lucy (Maring Naga), originally of Narum Village, on July 15 at Sawombung, and residing at Beaulalram, Pallel, Tengnoupal district.
At the time she was killed, M Lucy was residing at Langol Games Village, Zone III.
The UNC representatives placed their grievances before the Chief Minister.
COCOMI, having accepted moral responsibility, expressed regret over the brutal killing of M Lucy and tendered sincere apology before the Naga delegates led by the UNC.
Chief Minister N Biren condemned the inhuman crime and shared his grief and sympathy with the family members of late M Lucy and with the representatives of UNC.
He assured that justice will be done.
Points of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UNC, COCOMI and the State Government included arrest and awarding of befitting punishment to all the culprits in accordance with law.
The State Government and its agencies agreed to ensure that the investigation is taken up with utmost seriousness and swiftness.
State Government agreed to pay an amount of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of late M Lucy to fulfil the agreement as per Naga customary law.
The Government agreed to pay an amount of Rs 5 lakh to meet ritual requirements according to Maring customary law and another Rs 5 lakh to meet the educational needs of Marim Shangpui, daughter of late M Lucy.
State Government will provide a Government job to Marim Shangpui, daughter of late M Lucy suitable to her educational qualification as and when she becomes eligible for such employment, according to the MoU.
The meeting also agreed that COCOMI shall initiate efforts to ensure that no such untoward incident/harassment is given to any community in near future and the UNC agreed to suspend all forms of agitation and extend cooperation to the police to facilitate early completion of investigation.
The MoU was signed by UNC president Ng Lorho, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba and Ningthoujam Geoffrey, Secretary to Chief Minister from the part of the State Government.
Later briefing media persons at Manipur Press Club this evening, UNC president Ng Lorho said that they held a meeting today on the invitation of COCOMI and the two CSOs have come to an understanding.
COCOMI has agreed to take up necessary steps so as to avoid/stop harassment of hill people, particularly Naga people in the valley areas in the midst of the ongoing conflict and also to promote peaceful coexistence between the Meiteis and Nagas, the two indigenous ethnic groups of Manipur, Ng Lorho said.
Saying that the UNC condemned the killing of M Lucy in the strongest term, Ng Lorho said that they never encourage violence.
"Prioritising the need to avoid further unwanted incidents as a result of the recent incident, we held a joint meeting and came to an understanding", the UNC president said.
He said that all the people need to work collectively to end the violence and bring normalcy in the State.
Given the prevailing situation, all of us should have a clear idea of who are our enemies and who are our friends," COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said.
"Let's carry on the struggle by understanding and strictly following the dos and don'ts", he added.
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