Nongshum killings Khongbal flags agenda to drive wedge

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 20: Any attempt to drive a wedge between the Tangkhuls of Khongbal village and Meiteis of Nongshum Uyumpok will be futile, said Akhui Zimik, chief of Khongbal village today.
He made this statement at the residences of the three civilians who were gunned down by Kuki militants on Sunurok Uyok Ching yesterday.
Led by Zimik, several village representatives, members of the Church and students shared the grief and pain of the bereaved families and extended monetary aid.
Notably, the militant yesterday killed Arubam Ronil (35), Lairenlakpam Inaoba (57), both of Nongshum and Kshetrimayum Sushil (32) of Uyumpok village.
Visiting the bereaved families today, Zimik termed the attack on civilians barbaric and said it was a malicious attempt to drive a wedge between the Tangkhuls and the Meiteis.
Zimik, however, said that all such efforts will be futile.
He asserted that every malicious attempt to drive a wedge between the communities by Kuki militants will only  make the bond between the two stronger.
The Khongbal Tangkhul village and Nongshum Meitei village have coexisted peacefully and will continue to live side by side. "No Kuki elements will be able to break this bond," Zimik said.
In an attempt to separate and divide the two communities, certain Kuki groups have claimed that the attack was carried out by Tangkhul village volunteers. But, the "Meitei brothers" who survived the attack clearly know who attacked them. "The Kukis must understand and never forget that no amount of propaganda will be able to sever the ties between the Tangkhuls and the Meiteis," Zimik said.
The Khongbal Tangkhul village vehemently condemns the Kuki narco-terrorists' attack on innocent civilians yesterday. The delayed action of the 35 Assam Rifles stationed near the area of the incident was also unfortunate, Zimik said. When civilians were attacked, the Assam Rifles didn't even fire blank rounds, he asserted.
He continued that the Assam Rifles acted an hour after the firing by 'Kuki militants'.
There is no use of Assam Rifles in the area. Instead of the inactive force, the Government must station State security forces, Zimik added.