Morung Express News Ukhrul | June 16 A tense situation prevailed in Ukhrul on Friday after two persons were killed in a case of extreme high-handedness by NSCN (IM) cadres. The two deceased were identified as Romeo Shally, 28 years, and Chingripam Lungleng, 25 years – both of Khamasom village under Ukhrul district. The first of the killing occurred after Shally was picked up on June 14 morning by NSCN cadres on charges of allegedly raping a woman. Shally was severely beaten and subsequently died while in the custody of the NSCN’s Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) office in Phungreitang, Ukhrul later that night. Reports emerging on social media pointed to Shally and the woman being in a relationship. This, however, could not be independently verified. On June 15 afternoon around 500 people gathered outside the WTR office refusing to take back the body. When Shally’s sister, who wished to see the body, was refused entry into the office, the angry mob started pelting stones. It was reported that the NSCN (IM) cadres reacted with around 10-15 rounds of gunfire. In the resultant melee, Chingripam Lungleng was shot in the chest and succumbed to death on the way to hospital. Lungleng’s family members have refused to take the body, and it continues to remain outside the WTR office at the time of filing this report. On the other hand, Shally’s body was reportedly taken away by some villagers on Friday unbeknownst to the parents of the deceased. Threat on journo Meanwhile, journalists in Ukhrul including the President of the Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association, Thotshang Shaiza, received threats from the NSCN (IM) to refrain from reporting on the incident. When contacted by The Morung Express, the UDWJA President, clearly intimidated by the incident, refused to divulge any information. NSCN (IM) expresses ‘shame and pain’ The NSCN (IM) has meanwhile expressed “shame and pain” at the ongoing situation in Ukhrul. A press note from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) informed that Kilo Kilonser, Hukavi Yepthomi convened an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation, whereby a central investigation team was set up on June 16. “Further for impartial and transparency representatives from Tangkhul Naga Long will also be included as part of the investigation team,” it informed. The NSCN (IM) appealed to the victims’ families and the public for “calm to resolve the issue amicably, so that the investigation team may smoothly perform their duties immediately.” It further assured that “reformative and stringent measures would be initiated to deter such occurrences in future.”