A tense situation gripped Ukhrul district headquarters after a 25 year old youth was reportedly killed in a firing incident by suspected NSCN cadres on an angry mob, on June 15, which tried to storm its Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) office following the death of another 28 year old youth on June 14.
According to The Sangai Express, one Romeo Shally of Khamasom Khaijang Kho village was allegedly apprehended for interrogation in connection with an alleged complaint of sexual assault on June 14.
On learning about the death of Romeo, a government employee, inside the Wung Tangkhul Region office, an emergency meeting was held at the locality of the victim.
Furious over the high handedness, the local populace of Khamasom village gathered together in front of the WTR office.
When the angry mob tried to storm the office, suspected cadres fired some rounds during which one 25 year old Chingripam Lungleng s/o Issac Lungleng of Khamasom village was killed on the spot.
According to reports, the dead body Chingripam was still lying at the WTR office as angry villagers refused to accept the body, demanding that the culprit(s) be brought out.
Police from Ukhrul district headquarters rushed to the area along with troops of Assam Rifles to take stock of the situation.
Police sources said that a case was registered and investigation initiated.
NSCN (I-M) expresses pain; says CIT to probe
DIMAPUR, JUN 16 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) through its MIP on Friday expressed “shame and pain for the ongoing situation in Ukhrul as a result of custodial dead of rape accused Romeo Shally of Khamasom village early morning of June 15.”
MIP further said the situation got aggravated “when in a commotion, Chingripam from the same village was hit by a stray bullet while resorting to blank fire, while trying to disburse mob.”
MIP said that Chingripam succumbed to injuries while on the way to hospital.
Meanwhile, taking serious note of the situation, MIP informed that the NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser Hukavi Yepthomi convened an emergency meeting to discuss and take stock of the situation. In this regard, a Central Investigation Team (CIT) was set up on Friday to investigate the matter.
Further, MIP said it would also include Tangkhul Naga Long as part of the CIT in order to carry out an impartial and transparent investigation.
Therefore, MIP said the Government has humbly appealed to the victims’ families and the general public for calm to resolve the issue amicably and also to allow the investigation team to smoothly perform their duties immediately.
Further, the government has also assured “that reformative and stringent measures would be initiated to deter such occurrences in future.”