Rejoinder to KNO/KNA's statement regarding July 13 Moreh attack
01st August 2018
Rejoinder to KNO/KNA’s press statement regarding July 13 Moreh terror attack as revenge attack against BJP candidate in Tengnoupal AC.
We would like to issue a rejoinder to the media statement of the Kuki National Organisation / Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA) in Eimi Times newspaper on July 29 in connection with the July 13 Moreh terror attack now purported by the KNA as an election revenge.
In the media release the KNO/KNA claimed that they attacked the residence of Thongminlun Haokip, president of TSA Moreh block, purportedly because the house was used by election volunteers of Yanglet Haokip, BJP candidate for Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency in the Manipur MLA elections held in March 2017.
We would like to clarify that TSA has never had any connection with the “election volunteers” of the BJP candidate or with the KNO/KNA, election volunteers of his rival candidate, now sitting Congress MLA of Tengnoupal, Korungthang. We would also like to clarify that our demands and agitations in connection with the July 13 Moreh terror have nothing to do with any election, any particular candidates, political parties, underground outfits or any individuals, but justice.
In a variation to their previous media statement, the KNO/KNA also claimed that the attack had nothing to do with the president of TSA Moreh block, Thongminlun Haokip. But the fact is that the KNO/KNA cadres, allegedly led by their Moreh commander Ts Thangboi Haokip alias Thahpi, fired over 100 rounds of gunshots and lobbed 6 bombs in their attempt to murder not only the president of TSA but also his pregnant wife, children, his uncle, Paokhogin Haokip, who was assaulted and his neighbours.
It is most despicable that election revenge was taken out by the KNO/KNA on innocent children and women who have nothing to do with anyone or anything related to the election that had taken place one and half years ago in March 2017. They should not be made victims of any election revenge or rivalry between two opposing groups or parties.
The KNO/KNA in their first media statement in connection with the incident in Eimi Times newspaper on July 24 claimed responsibility for the attack for the first time and gave false and wild allegations against Thongminlun Haokip and TSA Moreh block without any
evidence or basis in their attempt to justify their terrorist and criminal act. In response to this, Thongminlun also has issued a clarification in Eimi Times on July 27, refuting all the allegations levelled against him by the KNO/KNA point-by-point.
Whatever are the reasons given by the KNO/KNA, there can be no justification of their cruel act of mass shooting and bombing of innocent children and civilians. The fact remains that the house that was attacked was where TSA Moreh president Thongminlun, his pregnant wife and their two children both below five years of age reside and were staying at the time of the attack.
Soon after the incident, we demanded the perpetrators to claim responsibility for the attack. The KNO/KNA, a signatory group to the Suspension of Operation with the government of India and government of Manipur, has now claimed responsibility for the second time. But, what more is the government waiting to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice?
As the supreme commander, PS Haokip, president of KNO, and all his men involved in the gruesome terrorist attack must be held to account for their action which was undoubtedly a heinous crime and a serious violation of human rights.
We will not accept any attempt to decriminalise the horrible incident. We will also not remain silent until and unless the perpetrators and the masterminds of the crime are arrested and brought to justice according to the law of the land.
But if the government has no intention to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice because they think the attack was not a criminal offence, then the government must come out openly with a sound rationale and justification of the deadly attack.
(LIAN HAOKIP)
General Secretary
TSA Chandel & Tengnoupal
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Thadou Students' Association , General Headquarters who can be contacted at tsaghq(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on August 01 2018
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