A watery ‘grave’ for two competing brothers of Tamenglong district

Our Correspondent IMPHAL, December 17 In a bizarre incident, two tribal brothers drowned while contesting to become the chief of a remote village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district. Though the incident took place at Gatao village in the remote Khoupum area under Nungba police station on Friday, the news reached Imphal only on Tuesday due to bad communication network.Reports said the two brothers Singlanglungpao Khao(75) and his brother Gadai Khao(70) disputed to be chief of Gatao village for the past one decade. The matter has been reportedly put up in the other forums for settlement but it was not resolved, informed sources said. But later the duo reportedly decided to dip in water as per traditional way of contesting to be a village chief. But both the brothers drowned during the contest that reportedly took place at Khoupum water reservoir. In the community’s traditional practice, the individual who can stay longer under water become the winner. However, there is no report of having such kind of activities in the last few years. A senior police officer of the Tamenglong district when contacted told this reporter that investigation is going on into the matter. The incident evoked sharp reactions from some social orgnisations. A key functionary of Rongmei Lu Phuam, Assam,Manipur and Nagaland said that such practice should not be encouraged in future. She appealed to the law enforcing agencies to pay attention to prevent such activities in future. According to the informed sources, the villagers have also demanded justice into the incident besides urging the authority concerned to provide ex-gratia for the bereaved families. Ultras arrested: Troops of the 12 Bihar based on specific intelligence regarding movement of a UG cadre llunched an operation in the general area Leirambam and apprehended one Kangleipak Communist Party (MTF) cadre today, PRO Assam Rifles(South) said in a release. The apprehendee was identified as Taorem Hero Singh son of L Lakshman Singh, resident of Gobindgram. One 9mm pistol alongwith a live round was recovered from his possession. The apprehendee along with the recovered items has been handed over to the Nambol Police Station,it added. In another operation, the same unit along with Bishnupur Commandos launched a joint operation in the general area Kamong and apprehended one United National Liberation Front cadre on Tuesday. The apprehendee was identified as Saroijam Bimol Singh(32) son of Late S H Tombi Singh, resident of Kamong Meisnam Maning Leikai, Bishnupur. The apprehendee has been handed over to the Nambol Police Station.