KMHR demands AR official's suspension
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 18 2012:
The Kuki Movement for Human Rights (KMHR) has demanded the suspension of Col Arvind Ramakan Sharma, the Quarter Master of 36 Assam Rifles, and appropriate action against all jawans involved in the brutal assault of civilians including pregnant women of Sehlon village on February 15 .
In an open memorandum to the Governor and CM of Manipur, Chairman of KMHR T Lunkim pointed out that nine civilians including pregnant women of Sehlon village in Chandel district have been seriously assaulted by the AR personnel.
The memo charged the CO of the AR post, Col Arvin Ramakan Sharma of ordering his men to beat up the innocent villagers even without consulting the village chief in obedience to the generation old Kuki customary practices since time immemorial.
Stating that the beating was started by the quarter master, it contended that the act defamed and destroyed the age old cordial relationship of the tribal people and the AR.
The personnel also defamed the image of the whole AR who called themselves 'friends of the Hill people' .
Failing to suspend the two officials and fitting punishment not given to the jawans, the act would become an epicentre to discover the hidden agenda of the Government on the whole of North East India, it stated.
Maintaining that the action of the AR personnel was a clear violation of human rights, the KMHR memo cautioned that failing to meet the demand would dearly cost the prestige of the Government.
Meanwhile, the Thadou Students' Association (TSA) Chandel district has strongly condemned the inhuman act unleashed by 36 AR at Sehlon village on February 15.In a statement, general secretary of TSA, James Haokip pointed out that the incident happened due to the thoughtless act of the AR CO posted at Sehlon.