Zeliangrong bodies call public meeting on missing girl case
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, April 10 2013:
The All Zeliangrong Student's Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam,Manipur, Nagaland) and Zeliangrong Student's Union, Manipur (ZSUM) while re-iterating its demand for the immediate safe release of minor school girl Alice Kamei aged about 14 years old, a girl student of Grace Reach Academy School, without any harm or condition who is presently in the custody of RPF/PLA is convening public meeting on April 12 at 11:30 am at Majorkhul Community Hall, Imphal.
According to AZSU, ZSUM and ZYF, the public meeting will chalk out strategies and plans for launching intense form of the proposed third phase public democratic agitation in collaboration with different civil organizations against the prolong captivity of the minor school girl by RPF/PLA in total violation of international law.
"Therefore, all the Zeliangrong frontal organizations, villages Pei (village customary court), youth clubs, churches are hereby informed to depute responsible persons/members to participate and represent their respective village in the meeting without fail," the AZSU, ZSUM and ZYF appeal.
It said the government of Manipur is also equally responsible for inability to secure release of the minor school girl which is apparent case of negligence, lack of sincerity, commitment apart from undermining the law abiding public movement and sentiments regarding the minor school girl.
The Central and State government's slogan to provide 'education for all children' under child rights to education has proved fallacious, the AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM stated.
The people registering strong protest against the child recruiting programme by RPF/PLA and to release Alice Kamei safely based on international law has been ignored by the RPF/PLA, added the Zeliangrong organisations.
They said RPF/PLA which is one of the oldest and signatory groups in Geneva Convention on August 6, 1997 has failed to abide its own obligation wherein declared to uphold the international law which prohibited child soldier.
"The RPF/PLA which is holding Alice Kamei captive since March 10 has admitted only on April 5 owning responsibility for the captivity but openly stated that the minor school girl would not be released.
Had there been no strong pressure from AZSU, ZYF, ZSUM, and concern public, the RPF/PLA which is responsible for the captivity of Alice Kamei would not disclose the whereabouts of the minor school girl and as such the intention of the RPF/PLA in this case is questionable.
The revolutionary ethics have been diluted by RPF/PLA's programme of recruiting minor school girl who is an under-age as prescribed by the law.
Child recruitment to join militancy amounts to exploitation and abuse of minor children, denial of child rights to education, prohibition of child free movement," the AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM stated.