Govt to give Rs 10 lakh to next of kin of deceased Naga lady
The simmering tension over the killing of a Mariang Naga lady on July 15 in Manipur seems to have somewhat subsided after the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) owned up moral responsibility, expressed regret and tendered sincere apology to the United Naga Council (UNC).
Addressing a joint news conference at Manipur Press Club in Imphal late this evening, UNC president Ng Lorho said that as the state government fulfilled the demands and COCOMI assured to work with their best not to repeat such unfortunate incidents in future, all the proposed agitations were withdrawn.
He said that a memorandum of understanding was signed by UNC president Ng. Lorho, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba and secretary to chief minister Ningthoujarn Geoffrey.
Following this, the UNC agreed to suspend all forms of agitation and extend cooperation to the police to facilitate early completion of investigation.
The developments came when representatives of both the COCOMI and UNC met Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday evening in the presence of Transport, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry minister Khashim Vashum, Nungba constituency MLA and Hills Area Committee chairman Dinganglung Gangmei and Chandel constituency MLA SS Olish.
UNC representatives conveyed their deep anguish to the chief minister at the brutal killing of M Lucy, who originally hailed from Narum village and was residing at Beaulalram, Pallet, Tengnoupal district and also at Langol Game Village, before being killed at Sawombung.
COCOMI office-bearers owned up moral responsibility, expressed regret and tendered sincere apology before the Naga delegates.
Singh condemned the inhuman crime and shared his grief and sympathy with the family members of late Lucy and with the UNC representatives. He assured that justice would not only be done, but also be seen to be done.
Further, both the COCOMI and the UNC agreed to ensure that the culprits would be taken into custody and given befitting punishment in accordance with law. The State government and its agencies would ensure that the investigation was taken up with utmost seriousness and swiftness.
The State government would pay Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of Lucy to fulfil the agreement as per Naga customary law. While Rs 5 lakh would be paid to meet ritual requirements according to Maring customary law, Rs 5 lakh would be paid to meet the educational needs of Marim Shangpui, daughter of Lucy.
The State government would also provide government job to Marim commensurate with her educational qualification when she becomes eligible for such employment.
It was also agreed that COCOMI would initiate efforts to ensure that no such untoward incident took place or harassment meted out to any community in future.
COCOMI coordinator Jitendra Ningomba said that an understanding was reached between the committee and UNC after a marathon meeting at Sekmai of Imphal West district.