Many condemn assault of Liangmai women

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 15 : The Naga Women Union and a number of Liangmai and Zeliangrong bodies have strongly condemned the brutal attack and sexual harassment of Liangmai women and men by armed NSCN (IM) cadres on the evening of January 12 at Marenmai village in Senapati district and demanded justice for the victims.
Condemning the barbaric assault of Liangmai women and men, the Naga Women's Union (NWU) has asserted that the NSCN (IM) cadres involved in the crime should be given appropriate penalties according to the degree of their crimes.
NWU has urged the authority concerned of the NSCN (IM) to conduct a top level inquiry and mete out appropriate punishment to the perpetrators without bias.
Stating that the women community will strive for justice until it is delivered, NWU appealed to all citizens to denounce the inhumane act and join hands in upholding the dignity, safety and rights of women in the society.
Denouncing the heinous act carried out at the bidding of RK Remping and his grandsons, the Koubru Range Liangmai Women Union (KRLWU) expressed solidarity with the victims (six women and two men). KRLWU has called for a thorough investigation into the incident by law enforcement authorities along with strict punishment for the perpetrators.
In a statement, the Zeliangrong Students' Union Delhi (ZSUD) urged Zeliangrong and Naga CSOs to condemn this act of brutality and inhumane treatment and stand up for the rights and dignity of the victims.
ZSUD further termed it "unfortunate and unfathomable" that Naga National Workers who are meant to be the guardians and protectors of the Naga people would commit such a barbaric act against innocent civilians.
Such type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place in a civilized society, especially from those people whom the Naga people believe to be the upholder of Nagas' rights, it added.
The ZSUD also requested immediate protection and necessary assistance to all the victims to ensure their recovery and well-being.
Condemning the inhumane attack, the Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone (LNC-EZ) extended solidarity to the victims with an appeal for delivery of justice.
LNC-EZ also called for widespread condemnation of the incident by all right thinking individuals and organisations.
Liangmai Students' Union, Nagaland (LSUN) has also termed the attack on six defenceless Liangmai women and two men as a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the safety and dignity of the community.
Stating that the victims were subjected to brutal physical violence, sexual harassment and intimidation with loaded firearms, LSUN has demanded immediate arrest and prosecution of RK Remping, his grandsons and all accomplices involved in the atrocious act. It added that the authorities should ensure a transparent and rigorous investigation.
Decrying the egregious act, the Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi (LNKR-MN), a conglomerate of all Liangmai students in Manipur and Nagaland, lambasted the authority concerned for remaining as a mute spectator even when the only lifeline of Marenmai village has been cut off and bunkers are being built on the middle of the road. It also extended solidarity to the victims and their families.
Expressing outrage over the violent act and manhandling of Liangmai women, the Liangmai Naga Indigenous Forum (LNIF) has demanded a clarification from the GPRN (NSCN-IM) presenting their stance on the incident. LNIF said that the GPRN (NSCN-IM) should take responsibility before the situation escalates any further. It also demanded justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators.
Regardless of any underlying issues, targeting innocent women and men in their own homes is an act of cowardice, said LNIF.
Meanwhile, Global Liangmai has assured to relentlessly pursue justice for the victims and ensure that the voices of the Liangmai community are heard on all international human rights platforms, including the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), until justice is served.
It urged all right thinking citizens and organisations to unite in condemning the "cowardly act" by individuals who claim to be "National workers" but act in direct opposition to the principles of justice and protection of the people.
LNIF, LNKR-MN and LSUN have also called upon all citizens and organizations to condemn the attack.