Dimapur, July 26 (NNN): The NSCN-IM has owned responsibility for the killing of a couple in Ukhrul on Sunday night. In a statement, the NSCN-IM said that they had killed Varengam of Lungpha village, Ukhrul district for his anti-Naga activities. However, the NSCN-IM expressed regret for killing the wife of Varengam saying that she was killed as she came “too close to her husband’s side when the bullets started doing the work”. “In the process of killing Varengam the NSCN expresses extreme pain for having killed his wife who had come too close to her husband’s side when the bullets started doing the work. We express deep regret for the loss of an innocent wife. With humility we admit that NSCN stands to be condemned for such recklessness and let this kind of incident never happen again,” said the NSCN-IM statement.
Reasoning why Varengam was killed, the NSCN-IM said that he was working with Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) led by one Aleng. “The Naga people are going through a very critical period given the fact the Indo-Naga political talks has entered into a very crucial area. But the forces oppose to any kind of honourable solution to Naga political issue is restlessly scheming all sorts of evil designs to undermine the issue in the manner that will create confusion and division among the Nagas. Such anti-Naga elements playing into the hands of anti-Naga groups stands condemned in the eyes of all Nagas in general and NSCN in particular. Varengam who was shot dead by NSCN on July 24 at Lungpha village in Ukhrul district happened to be one such element whose anti-Naga activities have crossed all limit of forbearance and tolerance. For quite a long time he has been notoriously functioning under Aleng group, the group that has been spiting venom against NSCN under the guidance of the Meitei groups. But a time comes when Varengam’s fate has to be decided in such manner,” the NSCN-IM statement said.
It may be mentioned that close to midnight on Sunday, Varengam and his wife were shot dead in cold blood in Ukhrul district by unidentified gunmen. According to the police account, at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, around seven unidentified gunmen shot dead Varengam (35) and his 33-year old wife Ngaherla in cold blood before the entire family members.
Meanwhile in another press note Lt. Col. S. Shipo PRO/IPR General Headquarters, Naga Army has stated that they were equally shocked to learn about the gruesome incident at Lungphu village in which the order to ‘arrest and interrogate a suspect’ turning awry, ended up in indiscriminate firing which led to the death
of the suspect and his wife. “For the record, it has to be stated here that Mr. Vareingam Mahongnao had been warned time and again to desist himself from his illicit activities of extortion and collecting tax in
the name of underground organizations floating in Manipur”, stated the press note. The unheeded warnings prompted us to take the extreme measure, which however, could have been better managed, stated the press note while adding that the death of his wife was unintentional which is deeply regretted.
It informed that the matter was under probe and punitive actions shall be taken against the irresponsible army personnel. To the bereaved family, especially to the orphaned children, the NSCN/GPRN has apologised and sincerely prayed that the Almighty may grant them the strength to forgive us in the name of the nation. “To the general public, with deep regret for the ugly scene, it is our humble assurance that such reckless acts shall not be repeated in future while carrying out the call of duty”, informed the press note.
Reasoning why Varengam was killed, the NSCN-IM said that he was working with Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) led by one Aleng. “The Naga people are going through a very critical period given the fact the Indo-Naga political talks has entered into a very crucial area. But the forces oppose to any kind of honourable solution to Naga political issue is restlessly scheming all sorts of evil designs to undermine the issue in the manner that will create confusion and division among the Nagas. Such anti-Naga elements playing into the hands of anti-Naga groups stands condemned in the eyes of all Nagas in general and NSCN in particular. Varengam who was shot dead by NSCN on July 24 at Lungpha village in Ukhrul district happened to be one such element whose anti-Naga activities have crossed all limit of forbearance and tolerance. For quite a long time he has been notoriously functioning under Aleng group, the group that has been spiting venom against NSCN under the guidance of the Meitei groups. But a time comes when Varengam’s fate has to be decided in such manner,” the NSCN-IM statement said.
It may be mentioned that close to midnight on Sunday, Varengam and his wife were shot dead in cold blood in Ukhrul district by unidentified gunmen. According to the police account, at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, around seven unidentified gunmen shot dead Varengam (35) and his 33-year old wife Ngaherla in cold blood before the entire family members.
Meanwhile in another press note Lt. Col. S. Shipo PRO/IPR General Headquarters, Naga Army has stated that they were equally shocked to learn about the gruesome incident at Lungphu village in which the order to ‘arrest and interrogate a suspect’ turning awry, ended up in indiscriminate firing which led to the death
of the suspect and his wife. “For the record, it has to be stated here that Mr. Vareingam Mahongnao had been warned time and again to desist himself from his illicit activities of extortion and collecting tax in
the name of underground organizations floating in Manipur”, stated the press note. The unheeded warnings prompted us to take the extreme measure, which however, could have been better managed, stated the press note while adding that the death of his wife was unintentional which is deeply regretted.
It informed that the matter was under probe and punitive actions shall be taken against the irresponsible army personnel. To the bereaved family, especially to the orphaned children, the NSCN/GPRN has apologised and sincerely prayed that the Almighty may grant them the strength to forgive us in the name of the nation. “To the general public, with deep regret for the ugly scene, it is our humble assurance that such reckless acts shall not be repeated in future while carrying out the call of duty”, informed the press note.
