Ukhrul remain tense even as polling ends

Imphal; February 1, 2012

Tension erupted in Chingai Assembly constituency of Ukhrul dstrict after suspected militants of NSCN-IM kidnapped 18 congress workers ahead of the poll scheduled. According to an active worker of the INC candidate M.K. Preshow, they had prepared to challenge the dictate of the NCN-IM and were even ready gheroa to an undesignated camp of the NSCN –IM cadre located at the proximity of Assam riffles camp. Earlier, the state government as well as the central government had refuted media reports about the existence of any camp being set up by the NSCN-M.

The outfit is currently in peace deal with the government of India for over decades and is reported to have field candidate of their own under the banner of Naga peoples’ Banned. The MIP of the NSCN-IM however refuted the allegation. The 18 congress workers reportedly kidnapped by the NSCN cadre were released late and night, report reaching here said. The problem arose out of the kidnapping of Congress workers was later consoled late on Tuesday night.

At another development a protest rally was held on Tuesday at Ukhrul district condemning the imprisonment of NSCN-IM’s head of foreign Affair Ninkhan Simray. Ninkhan Simray was arrested by RAW agents at Kathmandu on 9^th September 2010. Ninkhan Simray is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The rally held at Ninkhan Simray’s birth place at his birth place at Ukhrul and was attended by the villagers of Tassar and Tusen Chanhong village. The rally started from Tassar Community hall and later converged at Govt high school. A meeting was held where villagers with protest placards took part. The meeting made a decision for unconditional release of Simray and support to Simray’s fast unto death hunger strike in Tihar jail.