UKHRUL, AUG 20: The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M), along with indigenous and civil society organisations, has condemned the alleged use of excessive force by security personnel against protesters at Namdilong, Kanglatongbi, in Imphal West district on Thursday, with several civilians reportedly injured in the incident.
The LNC-M, in a statement issued Thursday, alleged that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other security personnel used tear gas and excessive force against peaceful protesters around noon.
The apex Liangmei body said the protesters from the foothill areas and indigenous communities were exercising their democratic rights through a peaceful protest demanding justice over the killing of six Naga men and two Langka villagers.
The LNC-M identified the injured as Wikhonliu, 36, wife of Phengrongwi; Wilobou, 33, son of Masingbou; Chunwibou, son of Paojengbou; and Masenwangbou, 44, of Makhan. The injured were subsequently taken for medical attention at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal. It said Wikhonliu was among those included in the six-Naga murder case allegedly involving Kuki militants.
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Meanwhile, Native People’s Committee Manipur (NPCM) convener Ashang Kasar, speaking at Kanglatongbi, said a joint indigenous Meitei-Naga community and civil society bodies had organised the sit-in protest demanding justice for the six Naga victims and other Nagas allegedly killed by Kuki groups.
Kasar called for action by the Manipur government and condemned what he described as the alleged brutality of security forces against civilians.
He demanded a response from the state government, saying that such treatment of civilians was unconstitutional and unacceptable. He also warned that the protests would be intensified if the government failed to respond to the demands.
Kasar also appealed to central and state security forces to treat civilians with humanity, reminding them that ordinary citizens are exercising their constitutional rights by peacefully demanding justice. He urged the forces to see protesters as fellow citizens—not enemies—and questions the use of tear gas and excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. He further called on security personnel to show compassion, respect citizens’ dignity and rights, and protect rather than harm the people they serve.
Speaking to the media at JNIMS, Thongam Inaocha, president, Apunba Manipur Ema, and Luwangleima, convener, COCOMI women’s wing, condemned the incident and expressed concern over the alleged treatment of civilians during the protest and compared the manner of treatment given to Kukis and Nagas by the state government when brought to Imphal with injury. Atongbi Kamei, president of the Kabui Mothers’ Association Manipur, also condemned Thursday’s incident at Kanglatongbi.
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Joint Tribe Council executive member Dinraibou Pamei likewise condemned what he described as the alleged brutality of security forces against protesters.
The LNC-M described the alleged use of force as “unwarranted” and “reprehensible” and demanded the immediate release of all detained villagers and an impartial investigation into the incident.
It further demanded identification of those responsible and appropriate legal action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing Sections 115, 117 and 125.
The Liangmai council also called upon the authorities to ensure justice, accountability and adequate medical assistance to those injured.
“Peaceful dissent must not be met with coercion and brutality,” the LNC-M said, adding that those responsible must be held accountable under the law. It then said it would continue its democratic agitation until the demands contained in the United Naga Council (UNC) charter are met.
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