Ukhrul, February 17 (MExN): The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS or the Tangkhul Students’ Union) today strongly condemned the assault on Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) executives by Manipur Police Commandos.
Manipur Police Commandos roughed up a team of NSF members on the morning of February 14, intimidating them, threatening them with physical assault and verbally abusing them for travelling through Imphal. The NSF delegates were on their way to attend the Lui-Ngai-Ni 2016 program at Ukhrul District Headquarters.
According to a press release from its General Secretary Leiyolan Vashum, TKS maintained that this was not the first time that Manipur state forces have acted in this manner and further cautioned that the Saklong will no longer be a silent spectator to such events.
TKS contended that the act displayed by the Manipur Police Commandos in this very incident has “once again” shown that the armed personnel of the state of Manipur are “incapable of dispensing justice in its truest form”.
“Having many fake encounter accusations, the state forces are still bold enough to even try to commit another one. This shows a complete disregard to human life, human rights and displays no discipline with a clear sign of the lawlessness that exists in the state of Manipur that is time and again perpetuated by the state armed forces with the approval of the government,” the student body maintained.
Further stating that it will ensure justice is meted out, the TKS voiced out its support to the NSF and stated that it is ready for any directive the Naga Students’ Federation gives after the ultimatum of 7 days is over “without justice being served”.
Meanwhile, the Saklong also strongly condemned the bomb blasts that took place in Ukhrul District during the Lui-Ngai-Ni 2016 celebrations. Blaming “unscrupulous elements” wanting to create “fear psychosis”, the TKS maintained, “These incidents not only show the terror tactics used to tarnish the image of the district by unscrupulous elements but also display the cowardly acts of certain individuals/groups to create an atmosphere of lawlessness and fear psychosis to ensure the people of the district do not live in peace.”
In this regard, TKS appealed to everyone to ensure that the tranquil atmosphere of the district is maintained. “No one should at any cost disturb the peaceful environment prevailing here,” it asserted.
