Manipur police on Monday arrested a member of the Arambai Tenggol (AT) for his alleged involvement in the recent assault of two Naga individuals.
The move comes amid heightened tensions and public outcry in Senapati district while the Naga People Organisation (NPO) called a 24-hour shutdown in Senapati district to protest the assault.
Several other Naga groups such as the United Naga Council (UNC), the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation, Manipur (RNSOM) and the Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation, Manipur (RNYOM) expressed condemnations against the alleged assault.
According to a press note issued by the Police, one AT member, Khullem Sanjeep alias Bhim, 30, son of the late Kh Tomba of Naoremthong DC road, was arrested for his involvement in the assault of two persons from Senapati in the early hour of October 31 at Lamshang area. The accused was remanded in police custody.
Earlier on Friday, police had also arrested a cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) in connection with the case. He has been identified as one Senjam Suraj Meitei, 25, son of S Nilakomol Meitei. A case has already been registered in this connection
The United Naga Council (UNC) had stated that it is irked by the “unwarranted act” of looting, physical and mental assaults meted out to innocent Naga fellows, namely V Hrangao Blesson of Kodom khullen and Dalou of Liyai Khullen belonging to Poumai Naga tribe on October 31, 2024 at Lamshang areas, Imphal, on their way back to Senapati.
The UNC condemned the incident and questioned the motive behind their actions.
It highlighted that 17 months have passed ever since the mayhem broke out on May 3, 2023 and all the ethnic communities living in the state of Manipur including Nagas as the third parties have been suffering untold miseries in every sphere.
With all concern and patience, hoping for resolution to the ongoing conflict, the Naga people have endured all the hardships and provocations from both the communities, it stated.
The Naga body demanded the state authorities to immediately identify and arrest those perpetrators of the crime and promptly dispense justice to the victims as per the law of the land. The UNC also urged concerned civil society organisations to look into the matter earnestly and initiate proactive steps to contain all these sporadic incidents.
Further, the UNC drew the attention of various authorities and the responsible civil organizations in the state for immediate intervention to put at rest these wanton and unwarranted checking/frisking/detentions and various strictures imposing upon Naga people in sporadic areas and unabated illegal taxation/extortion towards the commuters and suppliers of essential commodities along the national highways and inter-district highways once and for all in the greater interest of all the communities living in the state of Manipur.
