Alleges provocative gesture by actress Momoko, to take action against cadre if found guilty
Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR | December 22
Breaking its silence on the December 18 Chandel incident where Manipuri film actress Momoko was allegedly molested by an NSCN (IM) cadre, the outfit said today that it is a matter regret and concern that a small incident that took place during a musical concert in Chandel has been blown out of proportion.
The NSCN (IM) expressed concern over “certain forces” trying to sensationalize the incident and giving it a highly explosive communal color without taking into account what was the source of the spark that set off the fire during the concert.
“It is alleged that the actual incident started when actress Momoko made a provocative gesture against the Nagas which infuriated the whole Nagas and Lieutenant Col. Livingstone allegedly slapped the actress in a fit of anger. Nevertheless, NSCN is not taking the matter lightly and if Lieu Col Livingstone is found guilty of crime against the human dignity and morality of the actress the law of NSCN/GPRN will take its own course and befitting punishment given as per the nature of the crime committed,” the NSCN-IM said.
“It is however, bewildering to observe that highly motivated show of protest creating communal tension is given free hand. Going further it is shameless for the communal Manipur government to have taken up in the Manipur Assembly simply to magnify the matter”.
The NSCN (IM) also stated that the public in Chandel as a whole has therefore been victimized with “mental torture and other inconveniences particularly during this festive Christmas season” and pointing out that “such hue and cry reaction over such small incident both by the Meitei public and the communal government is absolutely unwarranted and something that has gone too far”.
“Rational exercise of mind and impartial judgment of the incident is found to be totally absent”, it stated. “The CAO of Khurmi Region also expresses regret over the incident. He however has requested the higher authority of NSCN to enquire into the incident on urgent basis to pinpoint who is the culprit and who deserved what action,” the NSCN (IM) added.
