To protest against government’s “failure to arrest” the perpetrators responsible for the murder of a couple Shamator and Kiphire on February 6 last, the members of Sangtam community led by United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC), United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) and Akehda Sangtamlaru Thsingmujang (AST) held a silent procession here on Friday.
Wearing black badges and carrying placards and banners, Sangtam public marched from public ground Kiphire to deputy commissioner (DC) office, Kiphire.
Some of the placards read “Ban tribal Army”, “Law is not law if violates the principal of justice” while some of banners bore pictures of “tribal Army with arms.” Public including women folk in traditional attires on reaching DC office complex held a short programme. Speaking at the programme, USSC executive chairman Justin Khatomong lamented that the state government was yet to fulfil the charter of demands made by the Sangtams. He alleged that the chief minister had no concern for Sangtams and asked whether the Sangtams were second class citizens of the state?
He said till now no one has been arrested despite the state government setting up of SIT, adding that delay of justice was a sign of no concern for Sangtams.
Addressing the gathering, ADC Kiphire Dr. Tinojungshi expressed regret over the February 6 incident. Stating that since the incident took place in Tuensang district jurisdiction, he assured to forward their grievances to Tuensang counterpart. He also assured to pressurize the government to take necessary action.
Further, ADC also appealed for peace in the region. AST vice president and USLP action committee chairman also spoke at the programme. Three Sangtam bodies would continue the agitation on March 12.
The Sangtams in order to show their resentment also placed black flag in different locations of the town.