Manipur Chief Minister, Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh told the State Assembly today that the government will hand over to National Investigation Agency (NIA) the case related to the death of two persons at Thawai Kuki village under Litan Police Station.
He said that ex-gratia will also be provided to the next of kin of the two deceased persons as per the rules of the state government. The Chief Minister was replying to a calling attention motion on the incident moved by Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Shri K Meghachandra Singh.
Shri Khemchand thanked Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Nemcha Kipgen and all the Naga MLAs for their help in securing the release of 21 Tangkhul Naga villagers safely. He said that these leaders have prevented the matter from snowballing into a major crisis.
Earlier, participating in the calling attention motion, Home Minister Shri Govindas Konthoujam said that yesterday’s unfortunate incident began when some armed Naga youths came to Thawai Kuki village and burnt down some farmers’ huts. And then, they reportedly abducted two Kuki men.
The Home Minister said that as the news of the abduction of two Kukis spread, the armed Kuki men stopped three vehicles carrying 21 Tangkhul Nagas at Shangkai on the Imphal-Ukhrul Road and took them hostage.
Shri Govindas said that central forces led by BSF were sent in for rescue, but they were stopped by womenfolk on the road. Later in the evening, the army stepped in and cordoned off the place where 21 Tangkhul Nagas were held hostage, he said.
The Home Minister said that there were reports of firing in the Mapithel area between 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm yesterday and one Kuki identified as Lanminthang Kipgen sustained bullet injury on his leg. He was evacuated to a hospital in Kangpokpi.
He then informed the House that the Chief Minister immediately informed Hon’ble Governor, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The MHA then stepped in to help rescue the hostages. Shri Govindas said that after long negotiations, the 21 Tangkhul Naga villagers were released at around 3 am.
Shri Govindas said that guns cannot bring solution or peace, and any solution has to come to the negotiating table. He appealed to all civil society organisations to work for unity. He urged the people to work as Manipuris.
Supplementing the Home Minister, the Chief Minister said that people of the state seem to have forgotten the word “Manipuri”. Shri Khemchand said that Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis have started identifying themselves by their community. “We need to tell ourselves that we are Manipuri first,” he said.
Manipur Government To Hand Over Thawai Kuki Village Death Case To Nia
