Churachandpur, Sept. 16: The United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) have strongly condemned incidents of vandalism and violence that broke out in Lamka during and after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to the town on September 13.
According to the groups, a section of juveniles vandalized welcome decorations at Pearsonmun on the eve of the PM’s visit. Several were later arrested by police. The situation escalated a day later when miscreants attacked the local police station, pelted stones at security forces, and attempted to secure the release of those detained.
In the early hours of September 14, the residence of KNO External Affairs Secretary Khenthang alias Calvin at Dorcas Veng, New Lamka, was allegedly torched, further intensifying tensions.
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The organisations expressed “great embarrassment” over the incidents, especially at a time when their people continue to suffer displacement and are awaiting resumption of political dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs. They stressed that such acts undermine community solidarity and damage the town’s reputation.
“Rather than uniting to bring healing and resuscitation to our beleaguered people, selfish tendencies are causing disruption,” the joint statement read, urging self-introspection and a reformative spirit among the youth.
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The UPF and KNO unequivocally condemned the violence and appealed to all sections to maintain peace for the sake of the wider community.
