TSA condemns
Source: The Sangai Express

Tengnoupal, February 03 2018: The Thadou Students' Association � General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) has strongly condemned the alleged vile, irrational and unlawful diktat of an armed militant group, the Kuki People Liberation Front/Kuki People Liberation Army (KPLF/KPLA) in connection with issuing threats against the leaders of TSA Moreh block, warning them of dire consequences if they do not resign before May 15 .

A press release issued by secretary information and publicity of the association said that the diktat, without any specific or valid reason, was issued by one Demkhoneh (information and publicity secretary of KPLF/KPLA) which appeared in Eimi Times on January 28, 2018.The association considers the threat a violation of fundamental rights of citizens and a direct sabotage on democracy and rule of law, undermining freedom, it added.

It continued that in connection with the threat , James Mate, secretary, information and publicity of KPLF/KPLA-MC, issued a clarification (published in Eimi Times, January 31), disowning and condemning the diktat issued against TSA while maintaining that there is no KPLF/KPLA other than them and further claimed that the diktat was the handiwork of KNA/KNO parading as KPLF/KPLA.

While the KNA/KNO, a SoO signatory armed group, has not made any clarification regarding the incident, TSA lauded the KPLF/KPLA (MC) for their timely clarification.

TSA alleged that the KNA/KNO, for no reason, had previously threatened Thadou cultural troupe, Moreh and forcibly stopped them from attending the Thadou Cultural (Hun) festival in 2016 .

It further alleged that KNA/KNO cadres had also intimidated and assaulted TSA leaders at Kangvai in Churachandpur district in November of 2014 .

"TSA has taken up legitimate cases or issues, and will continue to do so in the future in the best interest of the public and the community but it is not or will never be against any particular group or organisation", the association added.

The association stated that TSA, as a legitimate voluntary civil society organisation, is for the welfare of students and the whole community among Thadou tribe and beyond.

It further encouraged and appealed any organisation or group to come forward and discuss any problem with TSA on any relevant issue while stating that the association will not tolerate any form of terrorism, harm or intimidation by any individual or organisation against the leaders or members of TSA or Thadou community.

TSA further urged the KPLF/KPLA or any responsible group to clarify and withdraw their diktat in the same newspaper in which the news item was published, on or before the February 15, failing which TSA will lodge necessary complaints to the Government's authority concerned and would not hesitate to launch agitations as well.

It further warned that KPLF/KPLA or KNA/KNO shall bear the responsibility for any untoward incident which might occur.

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