Imphal: Ak. Jhalajit Singh IPS in a press note on Thursday stated that it regrets May 24 (Wednesday) press note, adding that it will be more careful while preparing any such sensitive press note in the future.
Thursday press note says, “A press note dated 24″ May, 2023 was prepared by this office after an irate mob vandalising vehicles and public properties as a result of death of a civilian from an incident of firing at Thamnapokpi, Bishnupur District at Asian Hospital, Kwakeithel Imphal. Before knowing that 04 (four) Tangkhul girls were also assaulted by the mob, the same was spread like wildfire in social media and the Central Control Room had kept prepared a rebuttal press note taking it as a rumour.”
Related | One of the 4 Tangkhul victims narrates May 24 ordeal along Imphal’s Kwakeithel Airport road
Ak. Jhalajit Singh’s office at 1/c Central Control Room, 1st MR Banquet Hall, Imphal, also added that the office never officially issued the press note: “on further verification of the incident, the press note was never officially issued,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul tribe has vehemently condemned May 24 Kwakeithel incident where 4 Tangkhul women on their way to airport were physically and mentally assaulted by unruly mob near Asian Hospital, Imphal.
TNL in a press briefing on Thursday taking serious note of the incident has said it will initiate action as per the Tangkhul customary law.
Tangkhul Naga Long while rejected and condemned the press note of AK. Jhalajit Singh, IPS on May 24, has vowed to settle the issue through Tangkhul customary law and practice of the Tangkhul tribe.
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The incident on Wednesday has garnered strong condemnation from Tangkhul apex bodies and organizations representing different parts of the community.
The press conference was held today at the office of the TNL president located in Viewland, Ukhrul. TNL President David K Shimray emphasized the seriousness with which they are approaching the matter and their close monitoring of the situation to ensure justice for the four women from Ukhrul district who fell victim to the assault.
The President further stated that those responsible for the attack must tender an apology for an amicable settlement. He emphasized that any problems or concerns related to the Tangkhul community should be addressed through the TNL office.
Strong criticism was directed by the TNL towards the Central Control Room in Imphal for the fabrication of the circular, accusing them of deceiving the public by spreading false information without proper verification in order to conceal the incident.
Must read | 4 women from Ukhrul attacked by mob in Imphal
Another organization deemed the matter an urgent priority and urged the state authorities to apprehend and appropriately punish the culprits.
Representatives from various Tangkhul organizations, including Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Katamnao Long in Hyderabad, Tangkhul Shanao Ngarum Saklong in Delhi, Tangkhul Katamnao Long Delhi, Tangkhul Welfare Society in Mumbai, Tangkhul Katamnao Long Shillong, Tangkhul Katamnao Long Guwahati, Tangkhul Naga Welfare Society Bengaluru, and a cluster of five Tangkhul Zonal Students bodies (Raphei Katamnao Long, Zingtun Katamnao Long, Sagolmang Area Naga Students Association, Zingsho Katamnao Long, and Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long), among others, have expressed their strong dissatisfaction and condemnation over the incident. They have outrightly dismissed the press note issued by the Central Control Room in Imphal, stating that it is “completely false, and no such incident took place.”
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has “vehemently condemned the heinous crime committed by the unruly mob to the four innocent Tangkhul Naga girls
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