Senapati: The Office of the All Naga Traders Association (ANTAM) has stated to be deeply saddened and shocked by the attempted murder of truck drivers and handymen at around 10 pm on 16 February 2024 in Sekmai.
In a condemnation note issued from the Information & Publicity Wing of the association, it stated that the All Naga Traders Association Manipur vehemently condemns such brutal acts against five innocent truck drivers and handymen by unknown armed miscreants. The association asserted that such barbaric acts have no place in civilized society.
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The incidents involving mental, physical, financial and verbal harassment, as well as illegal taxes and extortion were stated to be escalating along the National Highway from Kangpokpi to Imphal in recent days, despite their best efforts to supply and meet the needs of the public in the valley region of Manipur.
ANTAM urged law enforcement agencies and the government to spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and ensuring they receive appropriate punishment.
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The association said it supports the Senapati District Truck Owners Association’s and Senapati District Drivers’ Union’s call for an indefinite economic blockade if their demands are not met.
The Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM) in the highest terms also condemned the inhumane act wrongly intended to provoke the peace-loving naga people.
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In a condemnation note issued by Asahrii Clement K, President and John H, General Secretary, it stated that the malevolent intentions behind such an act cannot be overstated. The student body vehemently questioned the motives of those responsible and sternly warned against any further attempts to incite discord among the peace-loving Naga brethren.
“Let it be known that such barbaric acts will not be tolerated by any right-thinking individuals or community, and we refuse to remain silent in the face of such egregious transgressions,” the release said.
“The drivers and handymen, who tirelessly brave the perils of the road to supply essential commodities to the state, deserve the utmost respect and protection, especially amidst the ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo,” it mentioned.
The student body called upon both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to cease terrorizing the Nagas, whether through highway checkpoints, frisking coercive donation-seeking tactics or imposed taxations.
Meanwhile, in another press release, the Naga Peoples’ Organization (NPO), Senapati, while taking strong exception to the innumerable sufferings, harassments and assaults faced by the people of Senapati district from both the Kuki and Meitei communities demanded both the communities to desist from constant provocations towards the innocent Naga populace of Senapati district and Nagas in general.
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In a condemnation note issued from the Information & Publicity Wing of the Naga Peoples’ Organization (NPO) Senapati, it stated that the Nagas have been maintaining neutrality thus far, in the hope that peace and normalcy will soon return to the social unrest/turmoil state of Manipur.
“Unwanted provocations from the two communities of Meitei and Kuki in recent days are uncalled for. The patience and silence of the Nagas are running out,” it stated.
Although no causalities were reported from the incident, the fear psychosis and insecurity rippled around the innocent villagers is condemned at the highest level. The incident at Sekmei, where 4 drivers and a handyman were brutally manhandled to the extent of an attempt to murder on the fateful day of 16 February 2024 by some armed miscreants is condemned with equal intensity.
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“People of Manipur have witnessed enough bloodshed and atrocities. It is best for both the Meitei and Kuki communities to abstain from further aggravating the situations terming such incidents are not stray ones but anticipated,” it termed.
The NPO urged the law enforcement agency to nap the culprit and befitting punishments be meted out.
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