Ukhrul, Mar 10: The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) has expressed deep regret over the indefinite shutdown imposed on NH 37 by the Kuki Students’ Organisation J&T on March 8 at midnight. The council has termed it an act of defiance against the principle of congenial coexistence meticulously established through agreement and mutual tolerance among communities, that has nothing to do with the present inter-communal conflict in Manipur.
The RNCM stated that the Rongmeis, living along N/H 37, from Jiri to Keithelmanbi, Imphal, were the legitimate land owners with very few small villages of other communities settling as tax payers. It also stated that few instances in the past perpetrated by the Kuki community along the stretch had raised much speculation, following which agreements were mutually signed after much reasoning between the two communities.
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“It was honorably settled that no such imposition or disturbances that may jeopardize the peace between communities be made on NH 37,” RNCM said adding “such restriction caused serious consequences on people’s livelihood, subjecting the innocent public to aggravating hardship on the already deteriorated socio-economic condition of the tribe in Tamenglong and Noney District.”
Further, the RNCM said that the recent declaration by the student community lacks logical justification as there are no Meitei villages or settlements along the designated stretch. Terming it extremely unwise on the part of the declarant for making such a decision when the situation is extremely vulnerable, the council advised the concerned body to lift the shutdown and be more humane and considerate to ensure a lasting peace between the communities.
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