Imphal, April 7,
Wrath over the use of unparliamentary slang words to the locals of Nagaram residents by MLA Md. Nashir, large number of people thronged to the newly constructed house of the MLA today morning. The angry mob nearly burnt the residence of the MLA but timely intervention of the Nagaram Village Authority, All Manipur United Club Organisation and state police prevented from turning the scene ugly.
The MLA later tendered apology to the public of Nagaram area on the request of the civil society representatives and state police. After the MLA’s apology, the anger of the mob was somewhat cool down but a meeting of the village authority of Nagaram will be held tomorrow to discuss the issue as the attitude of the MLA directly insulted the Nagaram Villagers which comprises of Tangkhul, Meitei, Anal etc.
Report said that the incident happened at around 7 am today. MLA Md. Nashir already owned a residence at Block C of Nagaram Village in Imphal East and has been constructing another new house at Block E of the Village. Nagaram being a village of indigenous people here in Imphal Valley have been following some customary law to protect the identity of the people.
Chairman of the Nagaram Village Authority, WS Lungshim, while talking to this reporter said that if somebody wants to buy land or want to construct house than they should get permission from the Village Authority. This has been followed since 1981 and has been following till today. As MLA Nashir started constructing the new house without prior permission from the village authority, members of the authority has been asking the worker to stop the construction work since the last 2 / 3 days.
“Today morning he came along with large number of security escort and order to continue the construction of the building, when some of the locals tried to explain about the customary law being practice in the village, the MLA instead of listening scolded them using unparliamentary slang words”, Lungshim said.
In a post at social networking site, a user (name withheld) said Nasir called the people “Haothu”. But the chairman did not directly told this reporter what exactly was the language he used.
“That MLA even threaten us by ordering the security escort to arrest us”, Lungshim added.
Wrath over the attitude of the MLA, people of the area called the people by ringing the electric post. As many as 500 people gathered. Our reporter said that some were too angry that they started collecting fuel to burn it.
Meanwhile, Imphal West district police team led by Additional SP and civil society body AMUCO came. Along with the members of the Nagaram Village authority, MLA Nashir was requested to tender apology to the public as the situation was worsen.
Earlier MLA Nashir refused, but as the situation seem to be going out of control, he came and tender apology in front of the mob.
“I am sorry for I had said and I will also respect the customary law of the Village”, MLA Nashir said. He also requested to forgive him if his language hurt anybody.
Even though the mob returned back, a decision on what action should be taken up will be considered by a meeting of the Nagaram Village Authority scheduled tomorrow , Lungshim, the Chairman said.
