MA seeks action
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IMPHAL, Jun 27: Taking serious note of the Kuki-Zo Council's on camera "admission" regarding the killing of six Naga hostages, the Meitei Alliance has urged the Government and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and arrest all involved in the case.
The Kuki-Zo Council's public admission has removed any remaining ambiguity surrounding the identity of those responsible for the heinous crime. The Govt must act now to uphold the rule of law, said the Meitei Alliance in a statement today.
"No explanation, apology, or appeal to emotion can diminish the gravity of these atrocities or substitute for justice. This public acknowledgment places an even greater responsibility on the Government of India and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly, impartially, and decisively," said the Meitei Alliance.
The Meitei Alliance's statement came after KZC's chairman acknowledged the killing of the six Naga civilians by "Kuki-Zo" during a press conference on June 25.
During the press conference, KZC chairman Henlianthang Thanglet had said the killing of the six was driven by "emotion".
"For the people of Manipur, this admission merely confirms what many already believed. The recovery of the victims' mutilated and dismembered bodies... paints a picture of unimaginable cruelty. If established through investigation, these acts would rank among the most inhuman and barbaric crimes imaginable. Such cruelty is an affront to human dignity and an offence against the conscience of every civilised society," Meitei Alliance said.
It said the atrocity reflected in the killing of the six Naga men is not an isolated incident.
"It forms part of a disturbing pattern of abductions and brutal killings, including the massacre of six innocent Meitei family members at Jiribam - including women and young children, the abduction and murder of students Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, and the recent murder of three Thadou Pastors. These crimes demand a comprehensive investigation to identify not only the perpetrators but also those who planned, facilitated, concealed, or enabled them," it said.
The Government of India and law enforcement agencies must immediately arrest and prosecute all those responsible for the abduction, torture, murder, and mutilation of the six Liangmai Naga civilians, said the Meitei Alliance.
It further demanded a time-bound investigation, through the NIA or a Special Investigation Team (SIT), into the murders and all related atrocities, including the Jiribam massacre, the murders of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, and the killing of the three Thadou Pastors.
Any conspiracy, assistance, concealment, or obstruction of justice by any individual or organisation must also be investigated while investigating the cases, it added.
Further, the Meitei Alliance noted that the Suspension of Operations (SoO) has failed to deliver peace, and only enabled armed groups to retain their military capabilities, eroding public confidence in the rule of law.
The SoO agreement with all Kuki militant groups must be abrogated immediately, and it must be ensured that no individual, organisation, or militant group is above the law or enjoys political patronage or immunity from criminal investigation, it added.
"The time for expressions of regret has passed. The Kuki-Zo Council's public admission removes any remaining ambiguity surrounding the identity of those responsible. The Government of India must now uphold the rule of law by ensuring that every perpetrator, conspirator, and anyone who aided, concealed, or protected these crimes is brought before the Courts. Justice cannot end with an admission. It must begin with accountability," said the Meitei Alliance.
The Kuki-Zo Council's public admission has removed any remaining ambiguity surrounding the identity of those responsible for the heinous crime. The Govt must act now to uphold the rule of law, said the Meitei Alliance in a statement today.
"No explanation, apology, or appeal to emotion can diminish the gravity of these atrocities or substitute for justice. This public acknowledgment places an even greater responsibility on the Government of India and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly, impartially, and decisively," said the Meitei Alliance.
The Meitei Alliance's statement came after KZC's chairman acknowledged the killing of the six Naga civilians by "Kuki-Zo" during a press conference on June 25.
During the press conference, KZC chairman Henlianthang Thanglet had said the killing of the six was driven by "emotion".
"For the people of Manipur, this admission merely confirms what many already believed. The recovery of the victims' mutilated and dismembered bodies... paints a picture of unimaginable cruelty. If established through investigation, these acts would rank among the most inhuman and barbaric crimes imaginable. Such cruelty is an affront to human dignity and an offence against the conscience of every civilised society," Meitei Alliance said.
It said the atrocity reflected in the killing of the six Naga men is not an isolated incident.
"It forms part of a disturbing pattern of abductions and brutal killings, including the massacre of six innocent Meitei family members at Jiribam - including women and young children, the abduction and murder of students Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, and the recent murder of three Thadou Pastors. These crimes demand a comprehensive investigation to identify not only the perpetrators but also those who planned, facilitated, concealed, or enabled them," it said.
The Government of India and law enforcement agencies must immediately arrest and prosecute all those responsible for the abduction, torture, murder, and mutilation of the six Liangmai Naga civilians, said the Meitei Alliance.
It further demanded a time-bound investigation, through the NIA or a Special Investigation Team (SIT), into the murders and all related atrocities, including the Jiribam massacre, the murders of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, and the killing of the three Thadou Pastors.
Any conspiracy, assistance, concealment, or obstruction of justice by any individual or organisation must also be investigated while investigating the cases, it added.
Further, the Meitei Alliance noted that the Suspension of Operations (SoO) has failed to deliver peace, and only enabled armed groups to retain their military capabilities, eroding public confidence in the rule of law.
The SoO agreement with all Kuki militant groups must be abrogated immediately, and it must be ensured that no individual, organisation, or militant group is above the law or enjoys political patronage or immunity from criminal investigation, it added.
"The time for expressions of regret has passed. The Kuki-Zo Council's public admission removes any remaining ambiguity surrounding the identity of those responsible. The Government of India must now uphold the rule of law by ensuring that every perpetrator, conspirator, and anyone who aided, concealed, or protected these crimes is brought before the Courts. Justice cannot end with an admission. It must begin with accountability," said the Meitei Alliance.