Dimapur, March 30 (MExN): Three Kuki civil societies on March 30 came out with the ‘truth’ about the abduction of over 400 innocent Kukis by the UNLF , and straightforwardly came out with the sufferings and plight of the Kuki people at the UNLF and other underground insurgents active in the area compounded by the apathy of the government.
An open letter addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur, O Ibobi Singh by the president of the Kuki Students’ Organisation, L Touthang, the Hill Tribal Council Morseh, Chandel District, Jangmang Haokip and the Chairman of the Kuki Movement for Human Rights, T Lunkim stated that the ‘fact finding commission composed of KSO, HTC and KUMHUR’ into the abduction of the Kuki villagers incident has found out the truth behind whole episode.
The letter stated that the factual happening of TS Laijang grouping centre on March 13, 2007 was that about 400 innocent Kukis have been forcibly taken to Lallim/Namunta, Myanmar.
The letter stated that the Myanmarese army intervened and even arrested the UNLF leaders taking the abducted villagers but the rebels were later released by the army, The abducted people were left at Lallim/ Mamunta in Myanmar.
The abandoned abducted people scattered in fear and over 497 have sneaked back to Moreh border town and are being temporarily fed and sheltered by the HTC, churches, Kuki Women Union and KSO etc. the letter stated.
The release alleged that the subsequent news report about the abduction and the confusing reports about the safety and whereabouts of the abductees that appeared in the new media were just a fabricated story orchestrated by the underground cadres.
“In the mean time, the ULF cadres made a feast by killing two pigs at Molcham, brought together people and also the media personnel on March 18, 2007, asked certain people (whose names are kept in fear of life) dictating them what to say, and say only what has been dictated to them to the media personnel, thus made the public confused. This is a made up story.” The release stated.
Further the release stated that the abducted people are now in Moreh without food and shelter, and at the same time pointed out that the immediate need for the abductees are food, shelter, security and resettlement.
The release asked the government of Manipur to provide rice and tarpaulins for shelter for the unfortunate people who are stranded at Moreh town and treated like garbage.
The release also asked the chief minister to clear all underground cadres, landmines and bombs from all the areas of Chandel and Churachandpur districts within two months. Further the release demanded peaceful resettlement of the abducted people in their own villages and provide them food for two years i.e. 2007-2008 as compensation for the looting of food provision and missing of cultivation period.
The release pointed out that anything which falls short of the above stated facts can be construed as the ruling government’s intentional negligence and pretending ignorance of all the suffering, killing and sub-standard treatment meted out to the villagers. Further the release warned that if such thing ever happens again, then the endurance and the patience of the people may not be forever, clearly implying retaliation from the people, and in the event of such occurance, the release stated that the government will be fully responsible.
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