Dismayed with the long delay in delivering justice and arrest of culprits behind the murder of its two villagers, the Sinakeithei youths on Monday took out a protest rally demanding impartial investigation and swift justice. The joint civil society bodies of Tangkhul have set 48 hours deadline to the Manipur government to arrest the culprits and deliver justice within the set deadline.
Signalling their vehement protest and resentment against the prolonged delay in delivering justice, the village youth who were joined by the Tangkhul civil bodies leaders, area village leaders including Meitei, Nepalis and the public, holding placards, slogans such as “We want clean and clear investigation,” “Don’t delay justice,” “Justice for Thotreichan and Naosomi,” “Do villagers deserve justice, Yes!,” “Expedite police investigation,” etc were raised at the village ground today.
The rally which began at village ground culminated at the dumping site of the two deceased bodies, just a stones throw away from Ihang river banks.
The joint resolution at Sinakeithei village led by Tangkhul Naga Long comprised of all civil bodies including Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Tangkhul Naga Zingtun Longphang, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Shanaolong Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, and 18 Sagolmang area village authorities have re-affirmed and resolved that they will not claim the dead bodies until the culprits are nabbed.
The joint resolution, meanwhile, has warned that “any untoward escalation and incident that occur within the time will be soley held accountable to the Manipur government.”
They have also resolved to give 48 hours time to arrest the culprits while asserting that failing to arrest the culprits will lead to series of intense agitations.
It may be stated here that the joint press statement of the Tangkhul CSOs issued on August 10 while strongly condemning the inhuman and cold blooded murder, maintained that they would not take back the dead bodies until the culprits are arrested.
Stating that such act can cause communal misunderstanding and disturb the existing community harmony, the press statement of the joint civil bodies issued by TNL president had urged district administrations of Ukhrul and Kangpokpi to arrest the assailants at the earliest.
It had also further stated on August 10 that till such time it wouldn’t take back the dead bodies after post mortem.
The rally was an initiative of a joint Tangkhul civil bodies of the district led by apex Tangkhul Naga Long and 18 Sagolmang village authorities.
The two deceased identified as Thotreichan Kashung, aged 31, son of Mothang Kashung and Naosomi Lungleng, aged 29, son of Lt. Lightson Lungleng of Sinakeithei village under 44-Ukhrul Assembly Constituency went missing on August 4, 2021. Their highly decomposed dead bodies were found thrown at nearby village gate in Ihang river banks at around 3 pm on August 8.
The apex Tangkhul Naga Long led joint civil bodies of Tangkhul frontal organisations and Sagolmang area village authority took the decision following prolonged delay in delivering prompt justices in the said murder case on Monday following non arrest of the culprits involved.
TNL president Hoping A. Shimray on reaching the dumping site of the deceased duo invoked the Tangkhul traditional way of setting the departed soul to rest in rest peace.
Asserting that “justice delayed is justice denied,” he urged Manipur Government to do the needful and ensure that rule of law prevail.
Hopingson, while expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, appealed the populace to let rule of law and fair judicial system play its due role. “The Tangkhul frontal bodies and the 18 Sagolmang village leaders have come together to ensure that justice is delivered and continue the just fight till it is fulfilled.”
Other frontal leaders who spoke on the occasion have also shared their solidarity to the grieving families and have resolved to stand for impartial and fair investigation and justice.
From the horrific nature and extent of injuries of the duo, it is clear that the two Sinakeithei villagers were murdered and executed in a barbaric, cold blooded, premeditated manner as they were bound and blindfolded without provocation, the statement issued by joint Tangkhul civil organisation on August 10 had alleged.
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