Harassment of four young girls COCOMI, others tender unqualified apology

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 24 : The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has tendered an unqualified apology to the Tangkhul community and the four innocent girls who were reportedly harassed by an unruly mob at Kwakeithel today.
The World Meetei Council has also strongly condemned the heinous incident and added that such elements are Khurakki Eena Lai Saba who jeopardise the fate of the land and the people.
At Manipur Press Club, Imphal, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba described the incident as 'most unfortunate' and condemned it in the strongest terms.
He clarified that people were tense and angry as the news of one person who died due to bullet injury at the Asian hospital at Kwakeithel started doing the round.
Two persons including the deceased, who was later identified as T Chandramani, were severely injured when suspected Kuki militants opened fire at Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district today morning, he said.
Even though this couldn't justify the harassment meted out to the girls, Jeetendra Ningomba said, "On behalf of the people and as a coordinator of COCOMI, I sincerely apologise to the innocent girls and the Tangkhul community."
Tangkhul Peoples Organisation president John Raleng, who was present at the press club, said  the incident was unfortunate and civil bodies including Tangkhul Naga Long, UNC and COCOMI communicated over the incident timely to prevent unwanted incidents. An understanding has been reached on the issue, he said and added that no Tangkhul Naga have been hurt in the present crisis in Manipur.
COCOMI assistant media coordinator, Khuraijam Athouba expressed disappointment with some news outlets which published exaggerated reports about the incident.
The Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS), Manipur has also expressed utmost regret over the incident at Kwakeithel.
Addressing media persons this evening at its office at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, its president Th Manihar said that "the incident was very unfortunate and it has forced our heads to hang in shame."
"The incident happened at the spur of the moment at Kwakeithel but we apologize for the dismal treatment meted out to the girls by the unruly mob," he said while asking for forgiveness from all concerned.
Calling upon all fellow folks to be very careful in undertaking any agitation or movement, he also appealed to all to be aware of whom they are agitating against.
FOCS will consider anyone who tries to repeat the same as public enemy, he said while warning of consequences.