UKHRUL: The Thonglang Area Joint Action Committee on Protection of Ancestral Land (TAJACPAL) has filed an FIR against the arson and vandalism at Zaimeng Lake on Saturday allegedly by an armed Kuki group.
In the FIR, TAJACPAL alleged that the armed Kuki group personnel entered the Zaimeng Lake area carrying sophisticated weapons, including machine guns.
“Their presence created panic and terror among the labourers working at the site, forcing them to flee for safety. The said armed group proceeded to commit acts of arson and destruction by setting fire at Zaimeng lake and damaging various equipment and materials at the worksite,’ it mentioned.
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It further mentioned that the miscreants deliberately wrote the word “Kukiland” using paint available at the shelter house, which appears to be a calculated act intended to provoke tension, assert unlawful claims, and disturb peace and communal harmony in the region.
“The entire act demonstrated clear intent to intimidate, threaten livelihoods and destabilize the area,” it stated.
The committee demanded for a thorough and time-bound investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits. It also demanded deployment of adequate security measures in the Zaimeng Lake and surrounding areas to prevent further incidents.
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Meanwhile, the Ahangruak Chief Chairman Association has expressed its condemnation of the incident.
“We strongly condemn the recent acts of arson and threats made by armed Kuki militant group on March 21 using advanced and sophisticated weapons against the indigenous people of the Liangmai Naga within its own jurisdiction of protected forest reserve area of the Thonglang Liangmai Naga village,” it stated.
It alleged that the Kuki militants in full combat gear burnt down construction materials, gutted down temporary shelters, burning the eco-tourism surroundings, besides stealing construction materials of labourers deployed by the villagers showing their cheapest military discipline and nature.
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“This threat and arson against the peace loving nature of the indigenous people isn’t the first of its kind,” it alleged.
“Conserved Zaimeng Lake under Thonglang village which is home to many unique species such as the Salamander/Newt around the globe attracting tourists from various parts of the world are not to be threatened by any armed militant, individuals or groups in any nature. It has been watched, nurtured and protected by the ancestors of the land and any threat will be thwarted at any cost,” it asserted.
The association urged the authorities to take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of all citizens at the earliest.
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It also called upon all right thinking, intellectuals and organisations to condemn such belligerent Kuki militants.
“Yesterday the victims were the Meiteis, today it is the Tangkhuls, Zeliangrong and the Angamis, anyone could be the next target if we don’t join hands collectively and thwart them out of our indigenous land,” it stated.
The Ahangruak Chief Chairman Association also warned that it will not remain silent spectators and warned of agitations in various forms if the refugee perpetrators are not brought to justice within two days.