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.
\nThe 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.
\nThe two hunters were killed by gunmen yesterday.
\nMeanwhile, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) president Yangmi Kapai said though tension is running high, they are appealing for calm.
\n\u201cWe are appealing everyone to restraint themselves from indulging in any violent activity,\u201d 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. \u201cYesterday\u2019s killing incident has added fuel in the fire,\u201d the TKS chief stated.
\nThe proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) said that the two hunters at Ukhrul district were killed when its MPA (Manipur People\u2019s Army) cadres fired mistaking them as Assam Rifles personnel and requested the people, particularly Tangkhul community to pardon the outfit for the mistake.
\nTerming 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.
\nCadres 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.
\nAs evening approached, the visibility was poor and thinking that they were \u201cIndian Occupational Force (IOF)\u201d, the MPAs opened fire at them only to confirm later as innocent villagers K Kumar and K Ramsung.
\nAfter 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.
\nMPA cadres involved in the incident passed the information to the \u201cradio\u201d 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.
\nThe mistake was committed by a team of MPA but UNLF\u2019s Central Committee owned the responsibility and shared the shocks and pain being suffered by the families of the deceased, the statement said.
\nThe UNLF requested the Tankgkhul community to forgive the outfit for the \u201cbig mistake\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n