Rengma Students’ Union questions JAC
DIMAPUR, JUNE 21 (MExN): The Apex Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) has clarified to the press statement given by Joint Action Committee (JAC) of 11 civil Societies (Karbi Anglong) which had “strongly condemned the concocted and selfish press statement” which appeared on 20th June 2013 at local dailies with regard to Karbi-Rengma ethnic crisis.
According to a press note from the RSU, what had been portraywd in the local dailies was based on the ground reality and pointed out that the JAC had also physically visited and verified the affected areas. “…Then on what moral authority does JAC has to condemn the truth and certainty printed in the local dailies”, stated the RSU in the statement issued by Jetilo Apon, Union Assembly Speaker.
The RSU pointed out that if the JAC was “hurt” by such facts and figures flashed out in the media then the Rengmas “are hundred times hurt when such terrorism activities undertaken by the Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers towards the innocent Rengmas who are by nature peace lovers”.
The Rengma Students’ Union questioned the integrity of the JAC “who instead of condemning the KPLT’s inhumane and groundless ultimatum served to the sons of the soil” had ironically condemned the reality portrayed in the local dailies.
It was also informed that the RSU had sent a goodwill mission team led by the acting President Caleb Magh who met the fellow displaced Rengmas from their own ancestral village in a relief camp stationed at Chokihola.
They also collected all the first hand information (see box) and also procured the photo copy of written statement (ultimatum) written in Karbi dialect by Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers signed forcefully by Fifty one (51) Rengma public leaders at gun point.
The RSU questioned the JAC as to why “such ambiguous and unnecessary comments are stated during sensitive ethnic tension between the two tribes, when only the truth is the need of the hour”.
“In fact, Rengmas and Karbis are living together for quite a long time and it is natural that both the tribes will be influencing one another culturally.
Hence, the question of Rengmas willingly accepting/adapting Karbi culture does not arise in any way. Such statements are rather misleading and fabricated”, the RSU stated.
