Killing of NSCN-KK condemned

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL, Aug 7: The United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga Women Union (NWU) have strongly condemned the killing of  'Lieutenant Colonel' Pfokrehe James, 55 years, hailed from NSCN-Khole-Kitovi group in Senapati on Tuesday.

The United Naga Council condoles the death of Late Pfokrehe James, Lt Col of NSCN(Khole-Kitovi) who fell to the bullets of unidentified gunmen yesterday evening.

"We condemn the forcible abduction in full public view and subsequent killing of late Pfokrehe which is understood to be result of factionalism within the Naga family. The UNC support the noble mission of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation of bringing together all  the Naga political group through reconciliation. It has also been the endeavour of the UNC throughout our district mobilisation and political tours, be it in Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong or Senapati  and also in our public appeals to carry the message of the wish of the Naga people for peace and reconciliation among Naga brethren. It is shocking that the appeal of the people has not been heeded to and violence has been resorted to instead," UNC statement said.

While condemning the killing of late Pfokrehe James, the UNC appeals to all Naga political groups to cease from any form of factional violence so as to create space for real reconciliation among the Naga people.

"In this moment of grief and loss, we reach out to the wife and children of the late Pfokrehe James and also to Rabunamei village and the Mao people in general with our sympathies and solidarity. May the good Lord bless them with the grace to bear the loss of a father and husband, and a valued member in the village and community and the strength to carry on with life once again in His protection," the UNC added.

Again, the Naga Women’s Union (NWU) denounces in the strongest term the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Pfokrehe James of NSCN-KK who hailed from Robunamai Village under Mao-Maram Sub-Division of Senapati yesterday.

According to Naga Women Union, Pfokrehe James was physically assaulted at gunpoint in full public view and taken from the heart of the Senapati town near the Traffic Point to a secluded spot in Ankailongdi village area of the Senapati district headquarters.

His bullet ridden corpse was later recovered by public leaders and a team of Senapati police.

It said such nature of inhuman action creates anxiety and insecurity amongst the people of the district particularly the young school going children who are witnesses to the whole episode.

The three assailants also verbally abused and threatened the chief of Robunamai village when he intervened and pleaded for the release of the victim, the NWU alleged.

"The killing of Mr. James negates the commitments made by all the Naga political organizations to refrain from any violent activities during the series of reconciliation meetings initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). We express our deepest condolence to the bereaved family of late Mr. Pfokrehe James and pray that God will console, comfort and strengthen them to be able to bear the pain and sorrow at the irreparable loss," the NWU said.  

"We strongly demand that the perpetrators must publicly apologize for the brutal killing and come clean by identifying themselves stating their motive for commission of such deplorable and unjustifiable act. We also demand that all concern authorities must promptly booked the culprits and give befitting punishment as per the law of the land. We appeal to all the public to be vigilant and united and ensure that justice is delivered and this nature of heinous crime against humanity is not repeated in the future," the NWU stated.