Kangpokpi: The family of the deceased, chief of Naphai village, Lt. Zilhem Khongsai, including the village authorities have condemned the misleading report of print and digital media over the narrative that Chinneilhing Khongsai, wife of the deceased, laid the blame of her husband’s death on “banning poppy cultivation,” stating such media reports was highly inappropriate and defamatory in nature.
The family and village authorities in a clarification note called the reports “concocted report made by some propaganda media,” adding that “These kinds of misleading reports are hugely upsetting and traumatizing to say the least.”
The clarification pointed out, Chinneilhing Khongsai never stated or mentioned to media persons that ban on poppy cultivation as suspected reason over the incident. “Instead, she was merely conveying to the media that her husband had apprised the villagers and Village Authorities about the outcome of a meeting held in presence of MLA Kimneo Hangsing in May 2022, wherein it was pledge to support government’s effort on War On Drugs. She neither put blame on banning poppy cultivation as suspected reason nor she suggested it as a probable cause,” the family statement clarified.
Also read: Naphai village chief shot dead
While condemning the twisted and misleading report in the brutal murder incident of the village chief, the family of the deceased urged individual, organisation, media to refrain from unfounded and concocted report until the investigation is completed and the culprit apprehended.
Meanwhile, according to a news report, two militant groups, namely, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KNO/KRA) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLO/KLA) issued a statement asking the perpetrator of the crime to surrender to the outfits by June 10, 2022, 5 pm. The militant groups have warned the person(s) involved in the crime of severe punishment if they fail to surrender within the stipulated time.
Also read: Accountable leader with an inclusive policy: State’s urgent need of the hour
