The Hengbung Village Authority in Kangpokpi district issued a strongly worded condemnation of alleged “arrogant and vile behaviour” by volunteers of the United Naga Council (UNC), accusing them of forcibly dragging a woman vendor out of her shop during the ongoing shutdown call.
The authority said the incident occurred on April 21 at Hengbung village, terming the act “abhorrent” and a “direct defiance” of Kuki customs and traditions.
The village body referred to a prior public call issued on April 19 by the UNC leadership from Tahamzam (Senapati headquarters), which had announced a total shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas and a suspension of social and economic ties with the Kuki community.
Questioning the conduct of the volunteers, the authority said a woman running a shop within a Kuki village was “manhandled and forcibly dragged out,” an act it described as “violent, unjustified and deeply condemnable.”
Calling for accountability, the Hengbung Village Authority urged the UNC leadership to take immediate and stringent action against those involved, demanding punishment in accordance with Kuki customary law.
“For a lasting peaceful co-existence, the leadership must act without delay to address this grave issue and prevent any recurrence of such incidents,” the statement said.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
