Imphal, September 18: Makhan Kanglatongbi Naga Forum (MKNF) and Tangkhul Welfare Association, Kanglatongbi (TWAK) have stated today that the Naga community in the Makhan-Kanglatongbi has taken strong exceptions to the “brutal assault on an innocent Tangkhul Naga auto driver, Mr. Kingson Kashung, a resident of Chingshou village of Kamjong district presently residing in Kanglatongbi, on the evening of September 17”. At around 7:30 pm, while Kashung was providing his services to two Liangmai women who had hired his auto to collect vegetables from Motbung Bazar, an unfortunate incident unfolded, TWAK and MKNF said in a joint statement today.
Out of nowhere, a suspected Kuki militant approached Kashung near the Presidency College Gate at Motbung, they also said. The militant began questioning him in the Kuki dialect. When Kashung responded in Manipuri, explaining that he did not understand Kuki, the situation quickly escalated, TWAK and MKNF alleged. The assailant, without any provocation, began physically assaulting Kashung with punches and threats, they further alleged. The militant allegedly declared himself a member of the KNA, which is a Suspension of Operations (SoO) group recognized by the Government of India, TWAK and MKNF added.
The two Naga bodies then said, “This cowardly attack has sent shockwaves through the Naga community, particularly in the Makhan-Kanglatongbi area, and throughout the Naga community as a whole”. The statement added, “It has sparked widespread anger and condemnation. Such brutal and senseless violence towards an innocent civilian in a public setting is deeply troubling and cannot be tolerated”.
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TWAK and MKNF then said, “We, the Naga community, strongly condemn this act of aggression and call for immediate action to ensure the safety and security of all civilians, regardless of their ethnicity or background”. The two Naga bodies then demanded, “We demand that the responsible individuals be swiftly brought to justice, and that such acts of violence be met with the full force of the law”. The Makhan-Kanglatongbi Naga Forum and the Tangkhul Welfare Association Kanglatongbi also “strongly” demanded that the individual or any concerned group or organization clarifies their position on this matter within 72 hours from the issue of this statement. “Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to pursue any form of democratic agitation in response”, the Naga bodies warned.
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“Let this be a reminder that no one is above the law. All forms of violence against innocent people will be met with unwavering opposition, and we stand united in our commitment to uphold justice”, they stated.
(Newmai News Network)