Imphal, Jan. 15: The banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur has decided to put one of its members in front of a firing squad tomorrow for molesting a teenaged girl and assaulting her two younger brothers.
The UNLF, whose vigilantism ensures it remains in the headlines, today issued a statement declaring Maibam Khuman Ngamba guilty of tarnishing the organisation?s name and eroding the people?s faith in the ?revolutionary movement?.
The chairman of the outfit?s ?military affairs committee?, Sana Yaima, said a three-member firing squad would carry out the execution at 4 pm. However, he did not disclose the place where Ngamba would face the firing squad.
Yaima said the punishment was in accordance with ?articles 29 (I) and (II) of our constitution?, which prescribe the harshest penalty for misbehaviour with women and desertion.
Ngamba, son of M. Tombi of Yairipok Malom Mamang Leikai in Thoubal district, fled his camp after molesting the girl. He took with him an AK-56 rifle.
The UNLF activist molested 15-year-old Mongneilam Haokip of Khonmunlen village in Chandel district while she was returning home from the family farm on January 8 along with her brothers Letkhogin, 12, and Sonminlal, 9.
Villagers later found the girl and her siblings lying on the ground with serious injuries. All three victims were admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital.
The UNLF sought forgiveness from the family of the girl and the public after it transpired that the culprit was from its ranks. It simultaneously began an inquiry.
The outfit was last in the news when it handed over one of the suspects in the Lungnila Elizabeth murder case to representatives of women?s organisations. The accused, N. Rome, is now in police custody.
Three days ago, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) claimed to have captured the mastermind, James Kuki, but refused to hand him over to Manipur police. Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Manipur minister Francis Ngajokpa, was found murdered on November 12, eight days after her abduction.
A senior official declined to comment on the UNLF?s decision to execute the molester or the NSCN (I-M)?s refusal to hand over Kuki, saying the government had not received confirmation about either development.
Assam Rifles and police teams killed two militants in separate incidents in Thoubal district over the past 24 hours.
Official sources said a police team shot dead a militant near Khangabok around 10.30 pm last night. He was carrying an AK-56 rifle and 66 rounds of ammunition.