The United Naga Council (UNC) on Sunday has declared a 12-hours total shutdown which will be observed in all the Naga areas in the state of Manipur from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. on Monday.
The declaration comes in the wake of cold blooded murder of Lucy Marem, daughter of Thoukhal Marem of Narum(Beaulahram) village Pallel Chandel district in the evening of 15 July at Sawombung(Ukhrul road) Imphal East district by the alleged Arambai Tenggol.
UNC in a release issued on Sunday stated it seriously view the incident and demand the state government to immediately constitute judiciary inquiry committee and arrest those perpetrators of the crime (including those Meira Paibis who are complicit in the act of crime).
UNC also demanded to the state government that an exemplary punishment should be initiated upon the culprits and the cold blooded killing of Naga sister Lucy Maring must be brought in the limelight of justice befittingly as per the Naga customary law.
UNC warned that further course of action will be initiated if their demands are not fulfilled within 48 hours.
Stating that it is aghast to learn the cold blooded murder of Lucy, UNC claimed that Lucy was ‘forcefully apprehended by the Meira Paibis (Women Torch Bearers) and handed over to the above mentioned Arambai Tenggol, the newly formed private militia known for their notoriety during the present conflict in Manipur’.
The release stated that ‘the Meitei Civil Society Organisations will be equally held responsible for this despicable act hence their role and position must be made known to all concerned’.
UNC stated that it is unimaginable for a Women Organisation like Meira Paibis who profess to be torch bearer of peace partaking in acts of killings.
UNC condemns such barbaric acts committed on innocent Nagas despite knowing her identity as Naga, it added.
Since the beginning of the unfortunate conflict between Meiteis and Kukis, the Nagas have maintained that peace must prevail and have lent our might toward this end stated the release and it added that vested interest parties who wish to drag us into this conflict will not be spared.
UNC maintained that its patience and accommodating acts of the recent past should not be taken as a sign of weakness by all concerned who have provoked the Nagas, destroying their properties, torturing and humiliating them during the present conflict at different places and times.
As per media reports, nine accused in Lucy Marim Maring Muder have been arrested.
It is reported that a case was registered immediately at Lamlai Police Station and in the course of the investigation, Imphal East police conducted raids at different places and arrested the following accused persons with some significant seizures.
Briefing media person in a press conference held at SP Imphal East conference Hall on Sunday at 8:00 pm, SP stated that the arrested accused persons are Konsam Naocha Singh (43) s/o (late) K. Maipak of Huidrom Mayai Leikai recovered one 303 rifle along with 3 live rounds from his possession. Okram Samungou Meitei (38) of Heikakmapal, recovered one 9mm pistol (country made) along with 2 live rounds from his possession.
Ongam Suraj (27) of Keibi Heikak Mapal, recovered one A Star Car white color bearing register number MN06LX0345, Thounaojam Chingkheinganba Meetei @ Dhumba (25) s/o Th. Megha Meetei of Sawombung Block, Ahanthem Sobita @ Aliyang Newmei (61) W/O (L) A. Pundari Singh of Sawombung Maning Leikai, Thounaojam Lata Devi(63) W/O Th. Pacha of Sawombung Block, Ayekpam Ashalata Devi (56) W/O A. Ojit of Sawombung Gate, Ahanthem Ito Devi (50) W/O (L) Ibohal of Sawombung Gate, Ngasepam Sunita (42) W/O Ng. Tejmani of Sagolband Tera a/p Keibi Heikakmapal, Konsam Naocha and Okram Samungou have confessed to having committed the crime. It is also reported that localities have torched one of the accused's houses and all the accused persons are produced before the duty magistrate, Imphal East, and remanded into seven days of police custody till 22nd July 2023 for further investigation of the case.
The SP said further investigation of the case is going on to unearth the motive of the accused persons and to identify and arrest all those involved persons in the case. The Imphal East Police SP warned the Public not to indulge in criminal activities and it is also appealed not to take laws into their own hands. Else, the long arm of the law is bound to catch all the criminals.
Meanwhile, the Naga Students' Union Delhi has resolves that any harm intentionally brought upon any Naga by any of the warring groups in Manipur shall be viewed as an act of aggression upon the entire Naga community
The NSUD issued a press release on Sunday stating that it stand by the decision of the United Naga Council in regard to this incident.
NSUD expressed that it is deeply aggrieved and outraged by the news of Lucy Marem who is alleged to have been murdered in cold blood and in the most heinous manner on 15 July by members of a self-styled militia group by the name of Arambai Tenggol in connivance with Meira Paibis, a women organization that claims to be torch bearers of peace.
The release stated that the innocent victim of the horrific crime is a Maring Naga hailing from Beaulahram Village, Pallel, Chandel, Manipur.
The Naga Students' Union Delhi, in most unequivocal terms, condemns the act of terror against a fellow Naga and vows to undertake all lawful measures to ensure that the culprits do not escape the due process of law.
We urge the Government of Manipur to ensure that thorough and unbiased investigation is
carried out to bring the perpetrators to justice and call upon the concerned government and its agencies to address the underlying causes that provoke such acts of violence.
Stating that the union stand in unwavering solidarity with the bereaved family and most fervently pray that they may find solace in these difficult times the release further stated that the union is deeply anguished by the prevailing situation in Manipur and once again call upon all the communities to aspire for and work towards peace.
