ANSAM questioned AR’s commitment to the safety and well-being of citizens and said it firmly believed that the incident was not an isolated one but potentially part of a “hidden policy”, aimed at escalating the already volatile situation in Manipur by targeting innocent Nagas.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on September 9 vehemently condemned the “assault” on former All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) president Wanglar Thirthung, by the personnel of 26 Assam Rifles on September 7 at Bijoypur, Kakching district, Manipur.
According to a press statement issued jointly by NSF president, Medovi Rhi, and general secretary, Chumben Khuvung, the incident occurred at around 7.30 pm when the victim was returning home from Imphal after work while he was first stopped by Manipur police commandos and allowed to pass after a routine frisking.
However, the NSF alleged that a few meters away, the victim was again stopped by the Assam Rifle personnel who without provocation subjected the victim to a severe and unwarranted assault.
NSF said it viewed the “attack” as a “threat” to the former ANSAM president’s life and expressed its serious concern regarding the motive(s) of the AR operation at the check-post. Mentioning that ANSAM questioning on AR commitment to the safety and well-being of citizens, especially in the hill areas as claimed to be “the Friends of the Hill people” , the NSF said it firmly believed that the particular incident was not an isolated one but potentially part of a “hidden policy”, aimed at escalating the already volatile situation in Manipur by targeting innocent Nagas. This deliberate act of violence is deeply troubling and requires immediate attention from the authorities, stated NSF.
Meanwhile, the NSF has called upon the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and to hold those responsible, accountable, and to ensure safety and security of all citizens particularly in the sensitive regions of Manipur.