Senapati, February 15 (MExN): Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) has denounced the acts of Manipur Police commandos on February 14, where Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) officials on their way to Ukhrul from Kohima via Senapati to attend the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival were “roughed up and assaulted.”
“Lui-ngai-Ni is regarded as a great occasion for the Nagas and the disturbances caused to anyone partaking in the festival is highly regrettable, but is “doubly” hurting our sentiments in this particular incident because the Naga Students leaders who were officially invitees were harassed on their way to the festival,” stated a press note from SDSA General Secretary, Newman Polah. With growing of such instances, the students’ body said, Imphal city’s alleged cosmopolitanism is called to account.
Viewing the harassment meted out to the apex Naga student leaders as an injury to all the Nagas, SDSA questioned the intention of the Police in selectively stopping the NSF officials’ vehicle which had NL registration number plate. “Even after disclosing their identities and the purpose of their official trip for Lui-Ngai-Ni, the Manipur Police commandos had continued to detain, harass and creating fear psychosis to the Student leaders by calling in reinforcement on the spot,” the release alleged.
In light of the view that the incident may provoke unwanted situation, SDSA stated the Home Department should initiate necessary action upon all the police personnel involved in the “immoral ways of policing.”
“By initiating strict discipline instructions to the city police personnel, the Imphal city’s alleged cosmopolitanism can be accounted,” it said. “Failing to reign in police cadres for moral policing will create the impression that Imphal Valley of the day has failed to uphold the tolerance of differences.”
