North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) with deep concern strongly condemn the well planned and coordinated attack at the house of Ashaibam Nandakumar a Human Rights Defender, his family members, and some other families in Andro village on the 10th of April 2020 by a group of about 40 to 50 young people armed with sophisticated weapons, etc.

In a release to the media, U Jenison, Network Co-ordinator states that all the attackers have been masked and destroyed all street lambs before they started the attack at the houses which destroyed many household materials kept inside the house.

Several rounds of gunshots were fired causing fear and psychosis to the women and children of the families. NEDF  in a strongly worded statement said ‘the attack was highly suspected to have been carried out under the proper supervision and instruction from the political leaders of the area and their physical presence were also reported by the villagers. It further has been reported that the state security forces were also present during the attack.  

Nandakumar’s house was searched in search of him by those attackers armed with deadly weapons. If  Nandakumar was present at his house he would have been killed, it alleges.

Nandakumar is a Human Rights Defender working for the protection of rights of indigenous people in the Imphal East area. He also uses RTI as a means of the instrument to protect the rights of the Indigenous People. NEDF has a serious doubt of the involvement of political interest behind such attacks.

On the 11th April 2020 some vehicles numbering around 10 patrolled the area of Andro and fired several rounds of bullets and frightened the people. Also on the 13th of April 2020 the same numbers of vehicles drove in a very horrific manner to frighten the localities of where the attack took place on the 10th of April, 2020.

In this context, NEDF strongly appeals to all the concerns to stop such kind of abuse of power and attack to A Nandakumar, His family members and the other 12 families in Andro immediately.

NEDF urge the Government of Manipur especially DGP to arrest all the criminals involved in the attack immediately.

NEDF urge the Home Department, Government of Manipur to recover all the small arms used by the criminal groups while attacking the house at Andro.

North East Dialogue Forum urges Governor and Chief Minister of Manipur to immediately provide security to the family members of Nandakumar and Andro villagers for protection.