Oting-like incident cannot be ruled out in Manipur, claims MLA Leishiyo Keishing

IMPHAL: Leishiyo Keishing, a Naga People’s Front MLA from Manipur, today opined that the ‘Aggressive Defensive Posture’ served by 42 Assam Rifles at Kamjong and Ukhrul could lead to a mishap like the one in eastern Nagaland’s Oting which saw at least 13 civilians killed in firing by armed forces personnel.

Leishiyo, who is currently the sitting MLA of Phungyar constituency (ST) of Kamjong district, is a former advisor to chief minister N Biren Singh.

Stating that he is deeply concerned about the increasing violence upon the civilians, Keishing, who is also the chairman of the hill areas committee of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, added that the existence of the draconian law Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) empowers the security forces to commit crimes directly or indirectly against the innocent civilians.

“And recently "AGGRESSIVE DEFENSIVE POSTURE" was served by 42 Assam Rifles at Kamjong and Ukhrul Districts of Manipur vide order No. 130/42/GC(Int)/Misc/2021 dated 19th November 2021. As such Aggressive Defensive Posture can transpired the Oting like incident cannot be ruled out in Manipur too where AFSPA exist,” he pointed out.

Therefore, I strongly urge that AFSPA be repealed and such orders which can disturbed the hard earned sense of security and peace in the region be rescinded

Keishing also condemned the incident and expressed his sympathy for the victims of the Oting incident.

“I express my deepest sympathy and condolence on the loss of 15 innocent civilian lives brutally killed by the Security Forces at Oting Village under Mon District, Nagaland on the fateful day of 4th December 2021”, he wrote.

“I'm shocked and deeply disturbed by the barbaric act and strongly condemn the heinous crime committed by the Security Forces upon the unarmed innocent civilians on the pretext of mistaken identity. Such gruesome act is a repetition of the past which has caused insecurity to the public,” he added.

Follow us on Facebook