Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, April 14
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s a fallout of the Jiribam-Tamenglong district boundary dispute, a house was burnt down and four persons were assaulted late Sunday, alleged Zeliangrong Baudi and All Zeliangrong Students Union.
A joint press communique attached with the photos of the remnants of the engulfed house and one of the victims’ photo by AZSU and Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) was issued to the media houses here.
According to the two Zeliangrong organisations, four unidentified persons mercilessly assaulted black and blue three persons hailing from Zeliangrong community on Sunday at 11.50 pm.
“The miscreants entered the house of Mr Poukiuda Mathew Gangmei, Jiribam, Imphal East district, and started beating the innocent persons. Later, they closed the door from outside, sprinkled kerosene and lit the fire to burn alive the four Zeliangrongs. This act is an attempt to murder,” stated the AZSU and ZB-AMN. Loveson Kamei, (13), son of Luangkaosin, a class VIII student of Sarok Atingbi School, Jiribam, Chingampou Gonmei, (19), son of Chingthuanang of Luangkao and Kachiugai Gonmei, (14), son of Mathiuning Gonmei, a Class X student of Jiribam Model High School, Jiribam are three names of the four victims. The victims/tenants were staying at the resident of Mr Poukiuda Mathew Gangmei, son of Lianggijinang Gangmei, Kamranga village, under Gularthol police station, Jiribam, Imphal East district, as tenants. The miscreants set fire, cylinder gas burnt and burn down the house and properties including victims’ materials worth Rs 4 lakh, AZSU and ZB said.
“The unfortunate incident is directly or indirectly the outcome of the boundary/land dispute between Taosem sub-division of Tamenglong district and Jiribam sub-divison of Imphal east district, Manipur. The disputed area has been encroached by residents from Jiribam area creating communal tension in this portion for a long time. The Government of Manipur is not taking necessary actions to resolve the land dispute issue till date so the state government is responsible for this mess. It is high time that the state government should take necessary action to solve the problem and restore the communal harmony,” the Zeliangrong bodies urged.
AZSU and ZB (AMN) also expressed their anguish at the act saying it was a cowardice action. They also cautioned that they will not tolerate such farce development.
“The concern authority must immediately arrest the miscreants and punish according to the law of the land. Anything less will only invite further attacks against the people of the surrounding areas. The barbaric attacks on the four persons will also invite and create communal tension between the hills and valley people living in Jiribam areas for decades if the concerned authority does not take necessary action timely,” the Zeliangrong organisations said.
