Dimapur, December 16 (MExN): A note from the MIP today condemned the killing of one L. Rejamkhup Kom alias Akhup, former village chief of Thayong Khunou village under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal, Manipur on November 25. The note said the killing was by unidentified armed cadres suspected to be of a Kuki underground group, “one of whom identified himself to be a younger brother of Lulun, late KLA leader, which is a signatory of Suspension of Operation with the Centre and the state government solely because the Komrem community merged with the Nagas.”
“The NSCN/GPRN termed it as a direct provocation against the Komrem tribe in particular and the GPRN in general. Such blatant and inhuman act violating basic human rights finds no place in a civilized society that has no justification whatsoever; such misadventures of the Kuki undergrounds in the past resulted in loss of countless lives which continues till today,” the note said. The “NSCN/GPRN” made its position “very clear that Nagas will surely respect those that are prepared to respect the Nagas.”
The outfit further claimed of “repeated reports of meting out rampant harassment using forces, torture, intimidation, killing and forced to pay heavy taxes against Komrem village chiefs and to join Kuki village chiefs association, in their pursuit of forcing Komrem people to merge/join Kuki tribe in total contravention of accepted international norms and conventions to respect and honor the identity and aspirations of every people.”
The note said that all tribes or communities are equal “on the issue of tribal identity” and imposition of one’s identity to other is strictly prohibited. “However, in the case of Komrem tribe, the Nagas, and Komrem community have been living together peacefully as brothers for many years. So their identity will remain as it is, and shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the GPRN. The GPRN clarified in no uncertain terms that the destination of the Komrem people can never be decided by any other people but by the Komrem people alone,” the outfit stated.
“The NSCN/GPRN cautions the perpetrators that such practices are manifestation of unhealthy trend towards violence and confrontation that would not be tolerated at any cost,” it added.
