Student bodies condemn Sailen incident

IMPHAL, May 5: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) and The Thadou Students’ Association, Sadar Hills (TSA-SH) have in separate releases strongly condemned the burning down of 36 houses at Silent village on May 3 by Seijang villagers.

“Although there is a bone of contention between the two villagers over a portion of land, the matter can be resolved amicably in a court of law,” said ATSUM in its release.  

The student body urged the state government especially the Tribal Affairs and Hills to extend maximum relief fund to the Sailen villagers for the lost incurred.

Meanwhile, in a separate release, the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) has said that the Sailen village incident happened following a land dispute between the two neighbouring villages, Sailen and Sheijang and appealed not to make it a communal issue.    

HERICOUN in its release also demanded the state government to release the arrested five persons in regard to the incident without any conditions.