Rein in Kuki marauders : Tangkhul body

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 26 : Take immediate action against Kuki militants attacking farmers harvesting paddy, and arrest chief of Urangpat Kuki village for keeping criminals inside his village, said Tangkhul Naga Foothills' Organisation (TNFO) today as it warned the Government of intense agitation.
There have been frequent attacks on farmers harvesting crops in the fields by Kuki militants. The attacks have killed and hurt many.
On November 22 at around 5 pm, Kuki militants fired on Tangkhul Naga farmers at Alulou, located between Mayophung and Urangpat. The farmers fortunately escaped leaving behind paddy and machinery, said the TNFO in a statement.
This targeted attack on farmers came after the November 11 firing at Shanti Khongbal which injured Kanshok Horam, a 32-year-old Tangkhul man from New Canaan village. Earlier on November 9, Kuki militants fired on farmers in Bishnupur killing a woman named Sapam Sofia (34).
Such targeted attacks on farmers have jeopardised harvesting activities and spoilt crops causing huge losses to farmers. "The attacks on Tangkhul farmers is a threat to our existence as a neutral party and the community," said TNFO.
The TNFO welcomes all kinds of initiative for peaceful coexistence of all communities, but, will not accept or tolerate violence or threat upon its people. The provocative attacks against the Tangkhul people could escalate the situation with serious consequences, it said.
It also questioned the sincerity of the Indian Army deployed in sensitive areas to control violence. It said the Army has failed to rein in Kuki militants who are involved in committing heinous crimes against a neutral party.
If the Army is unable to provide security to the people, they should be removed from "our areas", it added.
The TNFO urged the State Government and the authorities concerned to issue an arrest warrant against the chief of Urangpat Kuki village for allegedly harbouring criminals inside his village. "We also demand the Government to provide relief to the farmers whose crops have been damaged due to the firing," it said. TNFO is prepared to launch democratic agitation until the authorities concerned take necessary actions to safeguard people from Kuki militants' attacks, it said.