IMPHAL, Dec 29 (MNS/ UNA): Tension runs high at Kamjong in Ukhrul district as the dead bodies of the two hunters lie in state amidst series of meetings carried out by all the frontal organisations of Ukhrul districts.
The dead bodies of K. Kuma (48) and Ramshang (40), both from Kongkan village will be taken to Ukhrul district on Sunday morning and will be followed by a public meeting.
The two hunters were killed by gunmen yesterday.
Meanwhile, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) president Yangmi Kapai said though tension is running high, they are appealing for calm.
“We are appealing everyone to restraint themselves from indulging in any violent activity,” said Yangmi Kapai. He said the situation has been going tense in the aftermath of the indefinite bandh in the valey districts on the Chandel incident. “Yesterday’s killing incident has added fuel in the fire,” the TKS chief stated.
The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) said that the two hunters at Ukhrul district were killed when its MPA (Manipur People’s Army) cadres fired mistaking them as Assam Rifles personnel and requested the people, particularly Tangkhul community to pardon the outfit for the mistake.
Terming the incident of killing the two innocent villagers as most shocking incident, a statement of the UNLF signed by its senior publicity officer Ksh Yoheiba clarified that cadres of its armed wing MPA had mistakenly fired at them.
Cadres of MPA who were taking position to lay an ambush on the troopers of Assam Rifles, stationed at Konkan, which is located around 3 km from the area where the two innocent villagers were killed for two days. On the second day, MPA cadres saw some people in combat dress approaching towards the place where they were taking position to ambush the AR troopers.
As evening approached, the visibility was poor and thinking that they were “Indian Occupational Force (IOF)”, the MPAs opened fire at them only to confirm later as innocent villagers K Kumar and K Ramsung.
After confirming them as innocent villagers, MPAs cadres offered apology for the mistaken with a request to forgive them . They (MPA cadres) further led them to the way leading to their village and departed for their based camp unhappily with disappointment, the statement said.
MPA cadres involved in the incident passed the information to the “radio” but they were yet to report to their unit. After their arrival at their unit and investigation into the incident, UNLF would take up appropriate action against them, the statement assured.
The mistake was committed by a team of MPA but UNLF’s Central Committee owned the responsibility and shared the shocks and pain being suffered by the families of the deceased, the statement said.
The UNLF requested the Tankgkhul community to forgive the outfit for the “big mistake” and calm down, the statement requested, urging the outfit to give a chance to help the families of the deceased to bring up their children.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unlf-seeks-pardon-protests-at-ukhrul-over-killing-of-two-persons/
