Guwahati: National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN-IM, the largest insurgent group in the Northeast, which is on a ceasefire with the Centre has expressed its 'ire' over the attack on Naga villagers in Kom, which is also the native village of Olympian boxer Mary Kom, and warned Kuki militants against further harassment of the Nagas in Manipur.
The insurgent outfit also expressed concern safety of various “minority” tribal groups in the state. In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCN said the recent clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur as “inhuman and detestable”.
It also called for the protection of Naga tribes such as Aimol, Chiru, Chothe, Kharam, Koireng and Kom. “Our Meitei brothers and Kukis should not take them otherwise and harass them in any manner,” it said. “It is a matter of regret that one Kom village Kangathei village has come under attack by the Kuki militants and the villagers forced to vacate their Kangathei village,” NSCN-IM has noted. India’s world champion boxer Mary Kom also belongs to the same tribe in Manipur.
Referring to the incident at a Kom village, the insurgent group says, "Such vicious violence will only aggravate the situation and this must be put to stop forthwith for the sake of humanity and peaceful coexistence.”
“The burning down of places of worship (Churches) is considered as sacrilegious acts committed on religious lines,” the group said in its statement, calling for the protection of various Naga tribes in the state which the group considers part of the greater Naga community which has been “actively involved in the Nagas’ political struggle”. NSCN-IM is currently holding crucial talks with the Centre and signed a “Framework Agreement” in 2015 to finalize the Naga Peace Accord.
