Manipur News

The policemen were on their way to Imphal after withdrawal of CrPC Section 144
IMPHAL, September 9:  As the State government pulled back the police commandos deployed at Ukhrul today, militants suspected to be NSCN (IM) cadres laid ambush at two different locations along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. The defiant attack on the security convoy consisting of police commandos, IRB and Manipur Rifles personnel, left one Commando personnel dead and two others with grievous injuries.

The first attack occurred at around 9.45 am today. The location where the attack occurred was from a hillock adjoining the road which had a foliage of pine trees. It was around one kilometre from the defunct Hundung cement factory , situated around 13 kilometres from Ukhrul town and near Nongsangkhong.

The militants who were dug in earlier opened fire at the passing convoy. The automatic fire from the militants hit a commando personal at the face. He was identified as Thodmiyo, 31 , a resident of Riha village, Ukhrul district. He sustained two bullet wounds, one in the chin and one near the neck. He was transported from Finch Corner to Sangshak, 16 Assam Rifles post but later succumbed to his injury.

In the next attack to the convoy which occurred near Thawai Tangkhul Lamkhai/Sangkai which is situated about six kilometers from Litan police station, two police personnel were injured. They are identified as Khumukcham Amuthoi, 33 son of Achouba of Kakching Khunou and attached to the Thoubal district police commandos. He sustained multiple bullet injury and was hit in the chest. He is said to be in a critical condition and has been referred from JNIMS to RIMS hospital.  Another personnel who was injured is identified as Kapnilian Namsong, 29, son of Haokholum of Tuibong, Churachandpur. He sustained minor injury to his leg but is said to be out of danger.

Post the ambush, security forces including Assam Rifles, IRB and Manipur Rifles, state police forces were deployed along the road. The attack came when the police commands and IRB personnel who were previously posted at Ukhrul were recalled from their command to the valley.

At the same time, a combined team of IRB and MR personnel were en route to Ukhrul. But, due to the news of the attack, the team going to Ukhrul was halted at Litan until reinforcements came and cleared the road. After the road was sanitized and the probable areas where ambush could be laid were checked with help of para-military forces, the convoy finally reached Ukhrul late evening.

It may be mentioned the police commandos were deployed after ADC member Ngalangzar Malue was killed by NSCN (IM) cadres at Finch Corner on July 12 last. In a crackdown by the police, 8 cadres of the NSCN (IM) were arrested from Ukhrul and followed by subsequent imposition of CrPC 144 in the district headquarters.

Civil organizations of the district held various protest to have the ban orders to be lifted and for the police commandos and IRB to go back. The last incident of a mass protest on August 31 resulted in the death of two civilian protestors.

Spearheading the campaign, the United Naga Council has imposed an indefinite economic blockade along the highways since September 4. The state government reciprocating the appeal of the UNC lifted the CrPC 144 on September 7 subsequently and had decided to shift all police commandos from Ukhrul town today. The ambush occurred when the police commandos with IRB personnel travelling in approximately 35 vehicles were coming back to the valley.

The state government had lifted the 144 prohibitory order on a trail basis and had assured to withdraw the police commandos, a notification by principal secretary, Suresh Babu mentioned earlier after receiving the recommendation from Union additional secretary (Home) Rajiv Gauba, joint secretary Sambhu Singh and special secretary (Internal Affairs) , Prakash Mishra.

Following the law and order situation, it is left to the state government whether the CrpC 144 which was lifted on a trail basis is to be clamped back again and police commandos redeployed to contain militant activities.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/one-police-personnel-killed-two-others-injured-in-nscn-ambush/

By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, September 9: Terming the tragic turn of events in which three innocent Naga lives have been lost in Ukhrul as a calculated infliction upon the Nagas in the State, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) has said that the State government shown their military might under the façade of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the district.

In a press statement issued by its general secretary Alan Vashum, the apex students body while referring to the tragic August 30 incident and September 9 ambush by unidentified gunmen killing one IRB personnel, maintained that bloodshed amongst the public and their security forces are all but a “leela” to the state government for this was what the government wanted.  Expressing concern that several incidents of security convoys being ambushed have occurred and another Naga life is lost, TKS cautioned that the government will now use this as a pretext to blame and victimize the Naga public

Stating that Section 144CrPc was lifted from Ukhrul after almost two months, and the price that paid for that was two precious lives, the students body lamented that it was promulgated when there was peace in the district and revoked when violence occurred. “The paradox is so perverted because this current Chief Minister and his stooges do not seem to know when Section 144CrPc is needed and when it is not.”

“The United Naga Council had called for blockades on all National Highways in protest and also to make several demands, which is as much as anyone can see an inherent right of the Nagas to live as one, free from communal oppression. The state authorities rushed to New Delhi to meet and discuss with the Home Minister. What was the purpose of the visit? Not to deliberate and solve the issue pertaining to the Nagas, but instead to ask for security to transport goods to Imphal valley. The outright arrogance of Ibobi and Gaikhangam is there for all to see. For them, the people of the Hills (tribals) are not an important constituent but just simply a vote bank during election time. Their concern is more so for the people of the valley, rather than uplift the plight of the hills. The Nagas have never been against any community, but have stood firm and united against communal forces-regardless of where they come from. Any right thinking and rational human being would say that what the present Government of Manipur is
doing is communal to the very core,” the statement noted.

Further claiming that the Nagas of Manipur have faced innumerable, negative and communal consequences time and again ever since the Government of Manipur led by CM Okram Ibobi Singh came to power with his pack of corrupt and power hungry stooges as Ministers,TKS rued that it is indeed sad to witness that they have had the least of respect for human lives, human rights and humanity while that they have been doing everything to upset the earthly balance of life in the state.

“What more should one witness to testify against such blatant misuse of power? Today, the world has seen what Okram Ibobi Singh and his Deputy, Gaikhangam have done to the Nagas at large, and to the people of Ukhrul in particular, it further questioned adding that they sent hundreds of Commandos and IRB personnel to “maintain peace and tranquility.” And the Nagas dare to question them, what was so not peaceful and chaotic that they had to take such an extreme step?, it asked.

After the Ukhrul Superintendent of Police Selvan ordered the firing of live rounds into the peaceful protestors with all joyous approval from Ibobi and Gaikhangam, two innocent lives have been taken away from their families. We proudly declare them Martyrs. Yet, Ibobi is adamant to crush and keep the Nagas under his foot. That is why Ukhrul District remains heavily militarized to this very date, and Nagas a tortured community, the statement continued.

Coming down on the government, TKS said that Ibobi and Gaikhangam have done enough damage just for the sake of votes and that they are desperate to retain their seats of power while adding: “We the Nagas challenge them for once in their spineless, characterless, greed and blood filled political careers to do one ounce of good that people can speak of.

“We are done being mute spectators. If any of the elected representatives call themselves a Naga, resign from your seat and join the fight against communalism. We will then know Black and White about where you truly stand-for your people, or for money and power. Always remember, you were elected for a reason by the people. We are all yet to see you prove yourselves accountable to the people who elected you in their right minds-not the ones that were bought for with various incentives. We Nagas will always continue to question whatever integrity is left of the state Government, and also of the Government of India, as to whether they are really sincere in solving the issue of the Nagas or still playing their delaying tactics. Nagas have every right to live under one administrative roof, free from communal oppression, and as free people. Will you let us?” the statement asserted.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/tks-blames-cm-ibobi-for-tragic-turn-of-events-in-ukhrul/