KANGPOKPI, April 16: The Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai (KISG) today expressed serious concerned over the abduction of a JCB driver engaged in Sanakeithel-Leisan PMGSY road construction works and strongly decried the alleged ‘warning/ threat’ of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) against the villagers of Gangpikon and Songphel village over the abduction.
Thangkam Lupheng, president, Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai said in a press statement that, the Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai is compelled to issue the statement on the basis of the emergence of some developments involving interference by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) over the abduction incident.
Lupheng alleged that the unwanted incident started with the quarrel over the Sanakeithel-Leisan PMGSY road construction works between two contractors/parties while adding that there have been kidnappings and counter-kidnappings from both sides and unfortunately the JCB driver, Ashang was abducted on March 3 and has remained traceless till today.
He continued that for the sake of peace and development in the area the Bungpi-Sanakeithel Area Peace & Development Committee (BSAPDC), a responsible committee in the area, started to intervene on the incident by rendering all possible efforts to trace and rescue the abducted driver which is continuing till today.
He also said that, at the initiation of ATSUM, a joint meeting between the Bungpi-Sanakeithel Area Peace & Development Committee, Tangkhul CSOs, KSO-Ukhrul and the two contractors was held at ATSUM office at Nagaram in Imphal during which a resolution was adopted to secure the safe release of the abducted person while resolving not to take the incident in communal manner.
He further said that the Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai remain had maintained silence as the matter was being dealt by the Bungpi-Sanakeithel Area Peace & Development Committee (BSAPDC), with full commitment to solve the matter amicably.
It further added that the efforts of BSAPDC, ATSUM, student bodies and others civil bodies so far have been credible and needs to be appreciated and supported by all right-thinking organizations.
The KISG leader also said that on the part of the government, police have been trying to book the culprits by conducting intense investigations including spot inquiry.
Meanwhile, it us very unfortunate that a group of leaders who identify themselves as TNL leaders came to Gangpikon village on April 13 at around 8:30 am and held a meeting with the village chiefs and elders, alleged Thangkam Lupheng while adding that in the meeting the TNL leaders warned and threatened the Gangpikon villagers to produce the abducted JCB driver on or before April 19 or else face dire consequence which may be even worse than the 1992-93 conflicts.
In this connection, the KISG wants the TNL leaders to acknowledge the efforts of the areas committee and other organizations including ATSUM, said Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai president.
He further noted that the present problem is directly or indirectly due to animosity between the two contractors/parties and nothing of communal should be brought in on the matter.
“It is highly regrettable, and a responsible body like TNL should not directly interfere into a matter without consulting the areas committee, other organizations including student bodies, who have been dealing the matter for amicable solution till today”, lamented KISG supremo.
He also said that the Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai took serious note of the TNL leaders ‘Warning/Threatening’ the Gangpikon and Songphel villagers, creating fear psychosis in the minds of the innocent villagers.
The Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai also urged the TNL leaders to withdraw their warning and threat issued to Gangpikon and Songphel villagers immediately while cautioning that the KISG will not remain silent if any untoward incidents happen upon the said villagers due to their warning and threat, for which the TNL shall be held responsible.