Ukhrul/Imphal: The two cases of killing Romeo Shally and Chingripam Lungleng of Khamasom village have been settled following intervention by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), which set two separate deadlines of one month and 20 days respectively to bring the perpetrators to justice. Romeo, son of S Matuiching was found dead in the custody of WTR/NSCN-IM after he was apprehended on June 15 on the charge of his involvement in a rape case.
Chingripam, son of Isaac Lungleng got killed when NSCN-IM cadres guarding the WTR office opened fire into a crowd, who gathered at WTR office gate demanding justification over the former’s death and attempted entry of Romeo’s sister into the office around 2.30 pm on the same day.
Eyewitnesses are terming the incident as an unjustified attack on civilians. Ever since, the bereaved families and Khamasom villagers along with public of Ukhrul town have been keeping the body of Chingripam Lungleng in front of WTR gate, Phungreitang and keeping watch in protest against the killing, though the death case of Romeo Shally was settled on Thursday.
On Saturday, family members of deceased Chingripam Lungleng agreed to settle the matter following intervention by TNL on the conditions that befitting actions be initiated against the perpetrators by GPRN Central Investigation Team and TNL within 20 days. The settlement was reached during a joint meeting of family members of Lungleng and TNL representatives held at the victim’s residence at Phungreitang.
Preferring justice in the case, the Lungleng family declined an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 lakh extended by TNL. The victim’s family further agreed to withdraw the FIR lodged at Ukhrul police station within four days and to take the body from WTR gate.
Earlier on Thursday, the case of Romeo Shally was settled following a joint meeting between the victim’s family members, Tangkhul Frontal Organisations (TFOs) and WTR, which agreed to a dead-line of one month to bring out the whole truth about the alleged rape case. An ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh was also extended to the bereaved family. Meanwhile sources informed that Ukhrul district police have already launched a massive manhunt to nab cadres of NSCN (IM) involved in the killing of two persons.
Based on the suo moto and complaints filed by the families; the latter eventually withdrawn, the district police registered two separate cases and raided the alleged camp of WTR at Phungreitang but no one was found inside.
Search for cadres of the outfit involved in the double killing are continuing in different parts of Ukhrul but there has been no report of any arrest made so far.
The tense situation in the aftermath the incident subsided after district police and Assam Rifles authority assured to nab the culprits. Accordingly security forces are keeping strict vigil to nab NSCN (IM) cadres involved in the killing.
Source: The People’s Chronicle
