Law abiding citizen: Father says about son arrested by NIA
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IMPHAL, Jul 19: A day after two more persons were arrested by the NIA in connection with the abduction and murder of six Naga men, the father of one of the accused has issued a clarification denying his son's involvement.
A "public clarification", issued by Paolen Sitlhou, said his son Lunminthang alias Jack Sitlhou was summoned to the Leimakhong police station to give a "routine statement" in relation to "the recent area community crisis."
However, while at the station, he was unexpectedly arrested and subsequently taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), said the father.
Lunminthang alias Jack Sitlhou of Molnoi village was among two arrested by the NIA on July 18. The other person arrested has been identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei of Leilon Vaiphei.
The six Naga men whose dismembered bodies were recovered on June 10 were among 18 abducted and taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
The NIA had earlier arrested a couple in connection with the same case.
Regarding Lunminthang's arrest, his father said, "The entire family is utterly devastated and broken by this sudden turn of events. My son went to cooperate with the law, not to be treated as a criminal. We sincerely appeal to the State Government of Manipur and the NIA authorities not to misunderstand or mischaracterise my son, Mr. Lunminthang@ Jack Sitlhou."
The father said his son is a "law abiding citizen."
"I declare with the utmost certainty and responsibility as a father that my son is completely innocent. He is not involved with any militant organisation, faction, or illegal underground activity whatsoever. He has zero involvement in any community-level crisis, violence, or unlawful instigation. Every single one of his daily activities has been well-known to and acknowledged by the family. He has never engaged in any illegal, anti-national, or suspicious behaviour."
Lunminthang was law-abidingly complying with the authorities when he went to the police station. But, he was unexpectedly arrested and taken to custody by the NIA, said the father, seeking immediate and unconditional release of his son.
"We look to the justice system with hope and humbly request his immediate, unconditional release on humanitarian grounds," read the father's clarification.
The father asserted that the family belongs strictly to the "pure Thadou community."
"We proudly bear official Thadou Tribe Certificates and live our lives guided by the faith, principles, and peace-loving teachings of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) church. We have always been, and continue to be, law-abiding citizens rooted deeply in our community's values of peace and integrity," read the clarification statement.
A "public clarification", issued by Paolen Sitlhou, said his son Lunminthang alias Jack Sitlhou was summoned to the Leimakhong police station to give a "routine statement" in relation to "the recent area community crisis."
However, while at the station, he was unexpectedly arrested and subsequently taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), said the father.
Lunminthang alias Jack Sitlhou of Molnoi village was among two arrested by the NIA on July 18. The other person arrested has been identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei of Leilon Vaiphei.
The six Naga men whose dismembered bodies were recovered on June 10 were among 18 abducted and taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
The NIA had earlier arrested a couple in connection with the same case.
Regarding Lunminthang's arrest, his father said, "The entire family is utterly devastated and broken by this sudden turn of events. My son went to cooperate with the law, not to be treated as a criminal. We sincerely appeal to the State Government of Manipur and the NIA authorities not to misunderstand or mischaracterise my son, Mr. Lunminthang@ Jack Sitlhou."
The father said his son is a "law abiding citizen."
"I declare with the utmost certainty and responsibility as a father that my son is completely innocent. He is not involved with any militant organisation, faction, or illegal underground activity whatsoever. He has zero involvement in any community-level crisis, violence, or unlawful instigation. Every single one of his daily activities has been well-known to and acknowledged by the family. He has never engaged in any illegal, anti-national, or suspicious behaviour."
Lunminthang was law-abidingly complying with the authorities when he went to the police station. But, he was unexpectedly arrested and taken to custody by the NIA, said the father, seeking immediate and unconditional release of his son.
"We look to the justice system with hope and humbly request his immediate, unconditional release on humanitarian grounds," read the father's clarification.
The father asserted that the family belongs strictly to the "pure Thadou community."
"We proudly bear official Thadou Tribe Certificates and live our lives guided by the faith, principles, and peace-loving teachings of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) church. We have always been, and continue to be, law-abiding citizens rooted deeply in our community's values of peace and integrity," read the clarification statement.