Al Ngullie
August 7
DIMAPUR (MExN): One Naga woman identified as Teshang Phun, a mother of one, was brutally assaulted by Meitei youths on August 6 Saturday while she was shopping at a vegetable market in Langathel, a Meitei dominated sub-division under Thoubal District, Heirok Constituency in Manipur State.
According to latest information, the woman aged 40 belonging to the Maring Naga community, was purchasing food stuff when a group of Meitei youths accosted her in the middle of the market and enquired if she was a Naga. Then the youths reportedly began abusing her verbally that it was Nagas like her who were causing problems to the Meitei people and that she had supported the Economic Blockade called by the All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) for which “she now has to face the consequences”. The Meitei youths then started assaulting her with naked fists, bamboo walking sticks and cane sticks. Sources have confirmed the information on this incident. The assaulted woman is reported to be in critical condition and is presently admitted at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.
Other sources have also informed that in those areas in Manipur dominated by the Meitei community, Nagas were being systematically targeted by the Meiteis. It is reported that assaulted Naga victims were being blamed for causing hardship to the Manipuri people by supporting the Economic blockade called by Naga organizations. Sources said these incidents of hate-attacks could not be reported due to lack of communication linkage and remoteness of the places where it is occuring. It further added that the latest incidence of attack on a Naga woman by the Meiteis ever since the economic blockade was launched was not an isolated case.
The ANSAM, which called the ongoing economic blockade in Manipur, when contacted has condemned the incident as a challenge to the Nagas. “We condemn such a systematic attack on us especially on women, by the Meiteis” said Paul Langhu, ANSAM President this evening. The ANSAM and other Naga organizations have called for a total bandh tomorrow in Manipur from 6am till 6pm to protest against the ‘communal attitude of the Meitei community’. The Speaker of the ANSAM Assembly expressed regret that the Manipur people had started communalizing the issue of the Naga movement. “This is a protest against the communalistic attitude of the Meiteis” he said.
Meanwhile, ANSAM leaders have informed that it has been corresponding with the Government of Manipur and the Chief Minister himself as well. The student body has expressed optimism that future talks might be held at the earliest to resolve the issue at the earliest.
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