_Office of the_ *ZOMI COUNCIL* Headquarters: Lamka *PRESS STATEMENT* *ZOMI COUNCIL CONDEMNS PLANTING OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES NEAR AR CHECK GATE IN MATA* The Zomi Council took serious view of the recovery of explosive devices near the Check Gate in Mata. The area has since long been a bastion of peace and harmony. Such deplorable act is a direct affront to public security and a sinister design to destabilize the fragile peace painstakingly nurtured by local inhabitants. The planting of deadly explosive substances in the roadside of an unsuspecting civilian zone is not only reprehensible but a clear act of cowardice and malice as it endangers the lives of innocent citizens and general sense of public safety. The Zomi Council demands a thorough and impartial probe into the incident by competent hands within the security forces. The perpetrators must be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted. We implore all right-thinking citizens, civil society bodies and community stakeholders to remain vigilant, reject all forms of violence and uphold the values of peace, justice, and mutual respect. Furthermore, the Zomi Council condoled the death of a tribal chief Mrs. Hoikholhing of Langchingmanbi due to firing by security forces yesterday. We hope that the matter surrounding her death be settled amicably in the spirit of reconciliation and customary jurisprudence through established conflict resolution mechanisms and mutual accommodation between the stakeholders. In the same spirit, we entreat that the shutdown called for an indefinite period following the tragic death may be called off immediately to avoid further disruption to normal daily living. Considerations of removing socio-economic hardships created by such shutdown of normal activities may be accorded precedence now. Let this sorrowful chapter be concluded with dignity, wisdom and a shared commitment to peace. Media & Publicity *Zomi Council* ©𝐙𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 > For more updates, follow our Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VagGXwJBA1f6S5IuCN1W