Imphal, August 20: Citing various instances, the United Committee Manipur has accused the NSCN (IM) for providing shelter to wanted criminals.

In a statement, the UCM remarked that Camp Hebron has become the safest haven for absconding criminals.

While the whole State was plunged in gloom and anguish following discovery of the mutilated body of Lungnila Elizabeth in November 2003, the NSCN (IM) was providing a "dignified sanctuary" to James Kuki at its Dimapur camp even though it was known to one and all that their guest is the prime accused of the heinous crime of kidnapping and murdering the innocent kid.

The insult of NSCN(IM) to the wounded hearts of the people was again renewed when many criminals involved in kidnapping and subsequent gruesome murder of Muheni Martin and Hrinii Hubert were taken to its custody.

Till today, the NSCN (IM) has been deceiving the people by claiming that all the accused including Brown Tangkhul, Adai and Manikho who are currently sheltered in its Hebron Camp are being put on trial, asserted UCM.

Instead of paying any respect to the hurt sentiment of the people, the outfit has staged a drama of one criminal escaping from its sanctuary in an effort to hogwash the public, it alleged.

Most recently, another criminal who murdered a 14 year old girl at Khatumai village of Senapati district for turning down his sexual advance has been given refuge in the custody of NSCN (IM), in total oblivion to people's wish for justice, UCM observed.

A glance of these cases clearly revealed that the NSCN (IM) is more concerned with the safety of criminals than delivering justice to the people.

While maintaining that people no longer expect any kind of justice from NSCN (IM), the UCM also censured the State Government for its alleged total administrative failure and inability to maintain law and order.

It further cautioned the State Govt to take up necessary actions to demonstrate its presence and to deliver justice in all these serial criminal cases before the people rise up with strong protest movements.