House refuses to condemn citing lack of evidence
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 20 2012: Even though the Speaker declined the proposal of condemning the 'Chandel incident' by the State Assembly contending that the case lacks evidence, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam assured that he already asked the officials of AR to take into custody of the accused NSCN (IM) cadre who molested and assaulted film actress Momoco during a musical concert on the stage itself in full public view at Chandel head quarters on the night of December 18 .

Gaikhangam was responding to a motion brought up during the Zero Hour by various Opposition MLAs of the State.

Considering the graveness of the matter, Gaikhangam stood up and made the statement though no response is normally given over a motion raised during the Zero Hour.

Film actress Momoco, who was compering a musical concert organized by Mahamani Women's Society to raise fund for Mahamani Youth Club at Chandel Bazaar on December 18 night, was allegedly molested by an armed cadre of NSCN-IM identified as Livingstone before physically assaulting her in full public view.

Livingstone is said to be the Finance Officer of NSCN-IM (in charge of Chandel district) and a close relative of an MLA.

Gaikhangam observed that although the incident of molesting and assaulting the film actress and opening gun fire at two other male artistes reportedly took place at Chandel bazaar on December 18 last, he came to know about it only when members of Film Forum Manipur (FFM) came to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister yesterday evening.

It would have been better had he known the fact much earlier.

Nonetheless, top officials of Assam Rifles have been instructed take into custody of accused NSCN (IM) cadre Livingstone and the State government is trying to arrest the assailant at the earliest possible.

Talking tough against the NSCN-IM which is currently on peace talks with the Central Government, Gaikhangam said cadres of the outfit should never threaten the civilians in any way, and the Chandel incident is really "unfortunate and highly condemnable" .

He also hinted that the Mahamani Women's Society which organized the concert should first seek an apology from the public because such incident may spark a serious trouble.

Although almost all the members of the House condemned the incident terming it as unwanted and unfortunate and proposed the House to condemn the act, Speaker Th Lokeshwar declined the proposal of condemning the incident by the House unanimously on the ground that the case lacks evidence.

Earlier putting up the motion during the Zero Hour, Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi stated that the incident of molesting and assaulting film actress Momoco during a music concert held in Chandel head quarters on December 18 was carried out right in front of the security personnel who were deployed at the spot.

The most disgusting part is the involvement of a cadre of NSCN-IM, which is on a peace talk with the Central Government.

The security personnel should act as one and the issue needs to be condemned by the House.

Supporting the motion, MLA N Biren pointed out that the House should condemn such unfortunate incident.

MLA RK Anand also stated that the NSCN-IM is violating the Cease Fire ground Rules.

This is not the first case where cadres of NSCN-IM have committed crimes.

There have been various cases where NSCN (IM) cadres were involved in killing and torturing of innocent people.

So, the issue should be taken seriously.

The Deputy Chief Minister also informed the House that the State Government is investigating into the killing of one Boudiyang Panmei, an innocent civilian who opened a stall during the Orange Festival.

Panmei was shot dead by unknown miscreants while he was packing up in his stall in the wee hours yesterday.

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