Our Correspondent
Mangmetong (Mkg) | July 25
Diffusing the strained relationship between the 9th Assam Rifles and the Mangmetong villagers, the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) Major General Sandeep Singh today visited Mangmetong village and had an “interaction” with the villagers and representatives of civil societies from Mokokchung here today at the Mangmetong community hall.
The IGAR (N) tendered an apology to the villagers for destroying the historical monument and for hurting the sentiments of the people. The IGAR (N) sought the forgiveness of the villagers in the name of God. Besides, he also promised that not a single jawan from the Assam Rifles would hinder reconstruction of the said Mangemtong Historical Monument.
However, Maj General Sandeep Singh raised objection to the two points which were meant to be written in the ‘Mangmetong Historical Monument’. First, objecting to the words ‘Argued and won not to pay taxes to the Indian Government’, the IGAR (N) said that it was either the State Government or the British Government but not the Indian Government. Secondly, he also raised objection to the words about Mangmetong village being burnt down nineteen times by the “Indian Army”. In this regard, he said that it was not the “Indian Army” but the “Security forces”, which included the CRPF, and other para-military forces etc.
However, the Mangmetong Village Council, while appreciating the intervention of the IGAR (N) in the village, honored the apology of the IGAR. But the villagers said that the decision with regard to the objection raised by the IGAR (N) have to be discussed in the Mangmetong Citizens’ Conference, since the Village council alone does not have the power to pass judgment on the erection of the historical monument. One thing was made clear, “history is history”, and that the words engraved in the monument have to be rectified only after thorough research and investigation, for which the Mangmetong villagers said that they would need some time. Besides, the Village Council of Mangmetong said that it could not give a clear cut reply since it was a Sunday. The council said that the response of the villagers would be sent through the media. The meeting ended in a positive atmosphere with the villagers appreciating the intervention of the IGAR (N) in seeking apology from the villagers.
It may be mentioned here that the 9th Assam Rifles led by its CO Col Rohit Khare destroyed the near completed Mangmetong village Historical Monument on July 9.
Several civil societies have condemned the action of the action of the Assam Rifles. However, after today’s ‘interaction’ many people did appreciate the coming and intervention of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) to resolve the “little problem” that arose between the people of Mangmetong and Assam Rifles in Mokokchung.
Today’s interaction was attended by representatives of the apex Ao community, Ao Senden, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang, Ongpangkong Senso Mungdang, Ongpangkong Watsu Mungdang, Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang and Senior Concerned Citizens Forum Mokokchung.
