Nagaland Students’ body appeals to Sumis for peace
Kohima: Naga Students Federation President Tongpang Ozukum has expressed concern over the inter-factional clashes of the undergrounds as most of the victims were identified from Sumi community. Addressing hundreds of Sümi students during the 37th General Conference of Dimapur Sumi Students Union (DSSU) here at Town Hall on Friday, Ozukum has pointed out that the most of the people who were killed during the factional clashes were from the Sumi community. Lamenting over such a development, NSF president urged Sumi ‘brothers’ to stop killing each other and added that Nagas would not accept killings amongst brothers. He said the killings must be stopped at ‘any cost.’ Acknowledging the sacrifices and services rendered by Sumis in the Naga freedom movement, Ozukum said, “Sumis have sacrificed and struggled enough and that even today there were many Sümi freedom fighters who were true and honest to the cause.” (UNI)
Welding cylinder blast damage seven vehicles in Dimapur
Kohima: Seven vehicles were destroyed and three motor garage workshops were damaged in a blast caused by suspected welding gas cylinders near Ao Baptist Church at Dimapur. According to sources, the blast, which occurred in one workshop on Friday night, immediately caught fire and spread to other two motor workshops. However, there were no casualties reported, but the three workshops were engulfed in a blaze. Five fire engines rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. Police investigation are underway to ascertain the cause of the blast, sources said.(UNI)
Woman raped in interior hill district of Manipur
Imphal: A 20-year-old woman was allegedly raped by six personnel of the village defence force (VDF) in interior Tamenglong district of Manipur. The incident occurred on September 21while the woman was returning to her village Disland, officials said on Saturday. The drunk VDP personnel, attached to Noney Police Station, started teasing the victim and then allegedly raped her in a nearby jungle. The victim along with her husband lodged a complaint against the accused with Noney Police Station whose personnel arrested the six on September 22, they said, adding that all the six were terminated from their services on September 23 last. The six, who have been remanded to Lamphel police station in Imphal west district by a local court till September 30, were identified as Paogu Lung, T Saluyen, Jan Thiyan, Paogun, Miginuyan and Katungai. The victim underwent medical test at Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here. (PTI)
Engineer arrested for threatening media houses
Imphal: A 30-year-old engineer working with a private company has been arrested by police for allegedly threatening journalists, media houses and newspaper distributors in Manipur, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said. Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said Thokchom Priyokumar, who works at Infra-Tel company, was arrested while trying to install a mobile phone tower at Kakching area in Thoubal district Friday afternoon. Gaikhangam said Priyokumar had allegedly threatened media houses and newspaper distributors with ‘dire consequences’ if a press release issued by a militant outfit was not published, adding this had resulted in the closure of media houses for about a week in the first week of this month. He said police have been tracking the mobile phone number which was used by Priyokumar and ultimately located that the engineer was working at the Infra-Tel private company and engaged in installing mobile phone towers at different places in the state. The minister said police was interrogating him to find out whether has any ‘link’ with militant outfit. With his arrest, those persons who had threatened journalists, media houses and newspaper distributors would be arrested soon. Gaikhangam said computer and mobile phone number which Priyokumar used while threatening media houses have also been seized by the police. (PTI)
Nagaland mothers’ body urges to release political prisoners
Kohima: Naga Mothers Association has called for all political prisoners to be released without conditions for the sake of strengthening the very sensitive and fragile peace process. A press statement issued by the NMA President and Joint Secretary further called for all forms of “counter killings, frisking, raiding and random arrest by the Indian forces to be immediately stopped.” It added that peace can be achieved only through trust. The NMA further extended its solidarity to the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights Delhi as it observed a candle light vigil in solidarity to Anthony Shimray and “all other political prisoners.” “Much against the aspiration and the expectations in resolving the long awaited Indo-Naga political issue, we are dismayed at the sudden disappearance and subsequent arrest of Anthony Shimray, who was on his way to New Delhi to attend the peace talks between Government of India and the NSCN (IM),” the NMA stated. (UNI)