Newmai News Network
Imphal | November 1
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has issued its condemnation over an alleged brutal assault on four Monsang Naga student leaders on the night of October 30.
In a statement, the ANSAM described the incident as a “barbaric, cowardly, and premeditated life attempt” on the leaders.
According to the student body, the attack occurred between Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel near Bijoypur and was perpetrated by a group of six to seven unidentified miscreants.
The victims have been identified as Gideon Kiiri, president of the Monsang Naga Students' Union (STS) from Japhou village; Wanglar Phillip, general secretary of the STS, also from Japhou village; Ts. Hollyson, a senior leader of the STS from Liwa Khullen village; and Th. Moni, also from Liwa Khullen village.
The ANSAM alleged that the student activists were “brutally assaulted in an act that reeks of pure savagery and deliberate intent to murder.” It termed the “despicable attack,” which it claimed was carried out without provocation, as a “direct assault on the sanctity, unity, and honour of the Naga student community.”
The association stated it views the “heinous act” not merely as a physical attack but as a “calculated attempt to intimidate, silence, and destabilise the moral courage of the Naga students' movement.”
The ANSAM has demanded that law enforcement agencies take “immediate, uncompromising and decisive action by hunting down the culprits and delivering justice without fear or favour.”
It warned that any “failure or delay in delivering justice will be construed as complicity and negligence on the part of the law and order enforcing agencies.”
The student body also issued a warning to the perpetrators, stating, “Justice shall find you, and the wrath of a united Naga student front will rise in defence of our people's dignity and right to live without fear.”
Asserting that this is not an isolated incident, the ANSAM said it stands in “unwavering solidarity” with the victims and is committed to ensuring that “justice shall prevail, no matter the cost.”
United Naga Council (UNC) while condemning the incident questioned “the motive behind such a cruel act of dehumanization that can trigger communal tension in the state.”
Taking cognizance of the severity of the incident, which it said has "deeply hurt the sentiment of the Nagas, especially the students and youths," the UNC asked the "responsible bodies of the community involved in perpetrating crimes are asked to own up responsibility to contain the situation and to settle the matter at the earliest."
The UNC cautioned all concerned to maintain restraint and seek justice through peaceful means as per Naga customary laws.
While appreciating the swift action of law enforcement agencies, the UNC appealed to state authorities to investigate the matter earnestly, book all the criminals involved at the earliest, and ensure "exemplary punishment upon the perpetrators to meet the ends of justice."
Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), terming the incident “brutal, cowardly and unacceptable,” expressed solidarity with the STS and the Monsang Naga community. It said the attack had deeply shocked the Naga student community and questioned the motive behind targeting young leaders “committed to community service.”
The NSF urged law-enforcement agencies to identify and arrest the culprits at the earliest, stating that failure to act swiftly would “embolden elements seeking to sow division and insecurity in the region.”
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity and justice, the federation said it would stand with STS and Naga student bodies in pursuing all democratic means to ensure justice.
