Ukhrul: The President of the Rongmei Naga Youth Organization, Manipur (RNYOM), under whose leadership it had directed all Kom individuals to leave Rongmei jurisdiction within 48 hours, has officially withdrawn the quit notice on October 19, citing a desire for communal harmony.
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The initial directive by RNYOM was made in reaction to allegations from Ichum Kom Keirap Village Authority, following accusations of betrayal by the Kom community. The RNYOM on October 18 refuted claims made by the Ichum Kom Keirap Village Authority regarding a Rongmei youth group attempting to forcefully erect a monolith in the village. Citing historical ties to the land, RNYOM emphasized peaceful co-existence but held the Kom community responsible for any future incidents if they do not comply with the directive.
RNYOM’s president, Richard Kamei in a clarification issued on October 19 said that the Rongmei community remains committed to resettling on their ancestral land but pointed out the importance of peaceful co-existence. The organization also urged Kom leaders to prevent further communal tensions, while cautioning against false claims of land ownership by the Ichum Kom Village Authority.
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Following the quite notice, ordering all Kom communities to vacate Rongmei jurisdiction within 48 hours, the Kom Union Manipur (KUM), the apex body of the Kom tribe in the state had expressed shock and anguish over the Rongmei Naga Youth Organization, Manipur’s directive. The notice, which was widely circulated on social media and local newspapers, has been labeled by KUM as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
KUM clarified that it had no involvement or knowledge of any dispute between Ichum Kom village and the Rongmei Naga communities. In response to the notice, KUM urged RNYOM to immediately withdraw the quit notice in the larger interest of communal harmony among the various communities living in Manipur.
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