IMPHAL, July 4: Providing a sigh of relief to everyone, the long drawn tension between two communities in Lilong Nungei area was eased today after an understanding was reached during a joint meeting convened at Chief Minister’s Bungalow.
Leaders of two JACs, one against firing at meira paibi volunteers and the other against killing of a student, represented the two warring communities in the meeting with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh which was convened this evening at around 4.30 pm.
It was also attended by Deputy CM, Gaikhangam, minister Abdul Nasir, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore, DGP LM Khaute, and the DC and SP of Thoubal, besides the conveners of the two JACs Sanjoy Khaidem and Md Shahid Anwar along with fellow members.
A statement issued by the CM Secretariat, stated that Chief Minister O Ibobi during the meeting said that the government is ready to open a security outpost at Lilong Nungei area shortly but the love and trust between the communities is more important in bringing lasting peace and harmony.
Congratulating the two JACs on the agreement, Ibobi also appealed to the leaders of the two JACs to forget the past and forgive each other and reiterated that we are all Manipuris who been living together harmoniously since time immemorial, it said.
At the same time, the chief minister, in the release, expressed hope that peace and normalcy will return at Nungei area as before while thanking the Lilong Zila Parishad for taking up initiative for restoration of normalcy in the area.
It may be noted that tension between the two warring groups claimed the life of a minor boy on June 27 besides breaching the tranquillity of the Nungei area.
As a result of the prevailing tension, fear gripped villagers of Nungei Meitei village and the whole families fled the village on July 2 and are currently taking refuge at Lilong Chajing Community Hall.
The entire Nungei episode was the fall out of April 11 firing by three armed miscreants on the Miera Paibis of Nungei Meitei village aftermath the Mayang Imphal arson.
The firing inflicted injury to altogether 15 womenfolk of Nungei Meitei.
