Manipur Organisations Condemn Police Attack on Protesters

NEW DELHI: Several organisations has denounced the clash that took place on Saturday between the protesters and Manipur police in Ukhrul district which resulted in the killing of at least two and injuring many others.

The reaction to the incident at Ukhrul has been that of condemnation by starkly different bodies- be it Naga Hoho (NH), Tangkhul Hoho, Nagaland (THN), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) or Naga Student Union Delhi (NSUD).

Vehemently condemning the killing of the two protesters by the Manipur police commandos,Naga Hoho communication cell issues a press release stating “their only sin was joining the people of the district to participate in the rally to emancipate the people from living under the scourge of draconian laws”.

Blaming the Manipur government outright, the communique read “ unfortunate incident was an indication of the bent of mind of the Manipur government”, adding that the Manipur government had no compunction but to take away innocent lives and injuring several other rallyists.

Going a step ahead, the hoho said “It was as though the Manipur government had been waiting for the people to assemble in large number to register their protest, and thereby demonstrate their military superiority on innocent citizens”.

Tangkhul Hoho, Nagaland (THN) had similar views. Its President Shai Raleng and Secretary PA Ramsing also issues a press release saying that the citizens of Ukhrul were registering a democratic protest against the promulgation of Section 144 CrPC in Ukhrul district. The promulgation of 144 in Ukhrul district for more than one month was in no way justifiable but a direct threat to individual rights and freedom, said TNH.

The hoho called upon all civil society organisations to condemn the “barbaric action” of Manipur police and IRB and support the citizens of Ukhrul district in this trying time. Further, it offered deep condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that their sacrifice would not go in vain and wished all those injured persons a “speedy recovery”.

Even the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) shared alike opinion.

While strongly condemning the violence, its Vice President Joseph Nguori and Speaker RS. Jollyson questioned the Manipur government on the rationale behind the continuous promulgation of Section 144 CrPC when the public has sought to lift the same.

“Such a barbaric act is tantamount to direct challenging to the whole Nagas and also amounts to sabotaging the Indo-Naga peace process”, the organisation said.

Further, NSF has also asked the Manipur government to give adequate compensation to the family members of those killed and also to take care of all the medical requirements of those injured.

In addition, the federation sought the Centre to set up an independent enquiry committee to thoroughly investigate the incident and punish the officer(s) responsible for the mayhem in Ukhrul.

Another organisation, Naga Student Union Delhi (NSUD), has also pointed fingers at the government of Manipur.

Expressing extreme displeasure against the government of Manipur for its “inhuman and callous treatment” meted out to the civilians, NSUD stated that the indiscriminate and deliberate firing by the police on unarmed civilians during the rally has clearly shown that the Nagas in Manipur cannot live with the dominant community under one administrative roof any longer.

The union also added that the “communal colour” of the state government has been repeatedly displayed and there was no respite from its oppressive approach toward the Nagas.

Furthermore, stating that the demand for the revocation of Section 144 of CrPC in Ukhrul was not enough, it informed that NSUD has demanded a CBI inquiry into the brutal killing of unarmed civilians and immediate intervention of the government of India for a lasting political solution.

Two people were killed and at least 15 injured after violent confrontation between the protesters and the Manipur police in Ukhrul district, nearly 85 kilometres from state capital Imphal.

The protest rally was primarily organised and sponsored by the United Naga Council and was held in order to demand the revoking of Section 144 CrPc and lifting of an indefinite curfew which was clamped in Ukhrul district two months back.