IMPHAL, Dec 19 NNN: An armed cadre of NSCN-IM reportedly went rampant when he molested Manipuri digital film actress Momoko before assaulting her in full public view during a concert at Chandel Bazaar High School ground, Chandel district last night. The NSCN-IM cadre also allegedly tried to kill another two artistes by firing two rounds at point blank range but they escaped unhurt.
Decrying the incident, the Film Forum Manipur (FFM) has demanded the state Government to take prompt action against the perpetrators at the earliest. The state Government should own up responsibility for any eventuality if it tries to keep mum on the matter, L Surjakanta, president, FFM warned while addressing a press meet held at the office of FFM, Lamphelpat here on Wednesday.
“All the perpetrators involved in the incident should be booked and punish under the law,” L Surjakanta said.
The victim, actress Momoko who was also present at the press meet narrated the whole episode. She said a concert was organized by Mahamani Women’s Society, Chandel to raise fund for the Mahamani Youth Club at Chandel High School ground yesterday when the ghastly incident took place.
According to Momoko, she participated at the concert as the programme announcer, Momoko said. At around 7:30 pm, all of a sudden, one Livingstone, an armed member of NSCN-IM who was in inebriated condition entered inside the room behind the stage where the artistes were sitting. Suddenly, Livingstone grabbed her shoulders and inquired whether she was the actress Momoko. Then, she answered ‘yes’ but he repeatedly asked the same question and started caressing her hair. Livingstone came along with three other cadres who were also heavily armed.
Feeling embarrassed at the rude behaviour of the NSCN-IM cadre, Momoko swiftly left her chair and sat beside her mother who was sitting inside the same room. Then, her mother complained to the organizing committee about the matter. Moments after that, Livingstone came again close to to her and pulled her down from the chair and started beating her up like anything by kicking aimlessly, Momoko added.
Singer Prakash Khuraijam, who was performing on the stage at that point of time, along with Manipuri digital film actor Guna came to the rescue of Momoko but Livingstone tried to kill them by firing two shots at point blank range. They luckily escaped the attack unhurt, Momoko stated.
Momoko lamented that the audience as well as the police personnel who were present at the scene stood silent when she was beating up by Livingstone. The Chandel Police Station has not yet taken any action regarding the incident, she alleged.
Livingstone also shot several rounds in the air before the incident, she added.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-im-cadre-molests-actress/
