Alice Kamei
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 19 2013 : The Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the apex Naga students body has written to the Home Minister of Manipur and the Chief Secretary of the State demanding the safe release of school girl Alice Kamei who is allegedly in the custody of militant outfit Revolutionary Peoples' Front/Peoples Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) .

Mentionably, RPF/PLA says Alice Kamei is 16 years old and had joined the outfit on her own volition while the Zeliangrong organisations rejected the former's version and accused the militant outfit of kidnapping the school girl to force her to join the militant outfit.

The Zeliangrong organisations also said that Alice Kamei is only 14 years old.

Jointly signed by NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome and its assistant general secretary Tongpang Ozukum, the apex Naga students' body said today, "The NSF, representing the aspirations and as a vanguard platform that stands to protect the legitimate and historical rights of the Nagas in general and the students' community in particular, is constrained to put forth this representation to your office and to the Government of Manipur for prompt action on the matters mentioned above" .

"As the government of Manipur is well aware, Alice Kamei of Chingphu Zeliangrong village, a Class IX student of Grace Reach Academy, Hiyanglam, under Thoubal District was abducted by the Manipur based Revolutionary Peoples' Front/Peoples' Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) on March 10, 2013 .

However despite repeated appeal and request by different Naga civil societies and organizations, the militant group has failed to meet the demands for the safe release of Alice Kamei," the NSF demanded.

The Naga students' body then pointed out that being considered as a minor by the International Law, a 14 year old Alice Kamei do not have autonomy or the right to make decisions on her own in any known jurisdiction of the world.

Instead her parents are vested with that authority, depending on the situation and circumstances.

Therefore the question of Alice Kamei joining the militant group on her own, as claimed by the RPF/PLA outfit does not arise at all, the NSF added.

It then said that as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of laws within the territory of India (Article 14).As such, Govt of Manipur should own moral responsibility if anything happens to Alice Kamei and also if any untoward situation arises out of this kidnapping imbroglio, the NSF warns.

"The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) therefore urges the Govt of Manipur to take serious note of the situation at stake and initiate prompt action for the safe and unconditional release for Alice Kamei from the captivity of Peoples' Front/Peoples' Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) at the earliest possible time, lest it sparks communal tension," the body further warned.

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