Imphal, Dec 21: In a very unfortunate incident, the wooden suspension bridge connecting the two villages of Erong Khuman and Mutum Phibou above Imphal River was partially burnt down by unknown miscreants on the night of December 20.
Speaking at a public meeting held today at the community hall of Erong Khuman in connection with the incident, Md Rahimuddin, Former Secretary Social Welfare of Erong Khunou Youth Development Union said that the union strongly condemns the burning of the suspension bridge which is the main lifeline for the villagers of Erong Khuman.
The suspension bridge is being used daily by the Erong Khuman Villagers for transportation, to visit market places as the bridge is proving to be a convenient shortcut for the villagers to the nearest villages, district and mainly Imphal city. Unfortunately, some individuals are trying to create communal issues between the two villagers by burning down the bridge, taking opportunity of the recent unfortunate incident between Nungei Meitei and Nungei Pangal, he added.
Md Riyazuddin Aribam further states that since late 18th century, Muslim community and other communities have been living together peacefully and with harmony but in the past couple of years the path seems to be vanishing day by day with rising issues of communal hatred.
Likewise, the unfortunate practice of destroying the particular bridge whenever any social scuffles erupt should not be brought up which can create big issues between the two villagers that have been living peacefully for so long, and that if the government and concern authority manage to bring solution to the on-going social issues at Thoubal Nungai at the earliest, there will not be any further social scuffle between any communities.
Appealing to the authority concern to upgrade the bridge into a pucca one, Md Riyazuddin Aribam said that to avoid any unwanted communal hatred one must describe it as a issue between X and Y instead of describing it as between Meitei and Muslim, while demanding the authorities to find and punish the culprits as well as those spreading communal tension.
A meeting was also held between the two villagers to maintain peace and harmony where a resolution to ban entry of outsider in the villages after 7pm was passed.
The suspension bridge is located about 3 km from Thoubal Nungai.
Meanwhile, one non-local working at the construction site of high-tension electric wiring project has been badly injured after a local from Mutum Phibou attacked him with a sword today afternoon.
The injured person has been admitted at RIMS for treatment.
