UNC decries assault of student leader
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 30 2011:
The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly condemned the assault and abuse of the president of All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) in the night of October 24 at Taphou, Tahamzam (Senapati) by personnel of Assam Rifles led by one Major Marathi, the out-post commander of Kangpokpi.
In a statement, the UNC said that ANSAM is the apex students organization of all the Nagas in Manipur.
It works to promote education and facilitate all round progress and to safeguard the common interests of the Nagas, said UNC and added that the assault took place even after the ANSAM president identified himself which indicates that the assault was deliberate and premeditated.
"The assault and insult heaped on the ANSAM is an insult to the whole Naga community and the civil society cannot accept such criminal acts lying down.
This incident is not the first of its kind in the recent past.
The question that is being posed by this unprovoked assault on a community leader and naked abuse of uniform and duty is what personal safety and security exist for the general and ordinary members of the public before the Assam Rifles," the Naga body questioned.
It stated that no action has been reported to be taken against the errant officer and the personnel under his command even after a lapse of 6 days of the incident.
"Is it to be surmised that such acts are condoned and accepted as the norm by the authorities concerned ?," the UNC asked.
The apex body of the Nagas in Manipur demanded that the public be informed as to what action are being initiated against the culprits so as to restore public faith and confidence in the rule of law and the Constitutional guarantees that are provided for the citizens of the country.
The assault of the student leader had drawn wide spread condemnation from a cross section of people and the Assam Rifles had come under criticism.