Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 27, 2010:
A mass protest rally was taken out in the border town Moreh today in protest against the abduction of Semjathang Haokip (55) and Ngamjathang Lhungdim (60) allegedly by armed cadres of the UKLF.
The protest rally was organised under the aegis of Hill Tribal Council, Moreh.
Both residents of Moreh ward no.1, Semjathang Haokip s/o Paojathang and Ngamjathang Lhungdim s/o late Ngamkhothang Lhungdim have been reported as abducted by armed cadres of UKLF on February 20 and 21 respectively.
Semjathang is the ex-chairman and Ngamjathang secretary of the JAC of the affected families/pattadars in the proposed construction of Integrated Check Post at Moreh.
During the protest rally attended by around 1000 people including members of Kuki Women Union on Human Rights and affected land owners, placards with slogans like 'We want immediate release of the abducted duo', 'Mr DC Chandel release our cheques through UBI Moreh immediately or forget ICP', etc were used.
Meanwhile, Hill Tribal Council has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding safe and immediate release of the two abducted men and release compensation to the affected land owners at the earliest possible.
In the memorandum submitted through the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Moreh, the Council asserted that Semjathang Haokip and Ngamjathang Lhungdim have been abducted by armed cadres of UKLF, which is a signatory of SoO, on February 20 and 21 respectively and the two captives were later on forced to give false statement in the media to obstruct disbursal of ICP compensation.
With the abolition of the JAC for ICP in 2008, the affected land owners entrusted and authorised the Council to pursue all matters relating to payment of the compensation.
Accordingly, the Council has taken up necessary initiatives and as per the wishes of the affected landowners, DC Chandel issued cheques which were to be drawn from UBI, Moreh.
Unfortunately, instead of verifying the matter with the affected land owners, the DC acted on the false allegation and issued notification to the bank to disallow encashment of the said cheques, the memorandum said, while praying for disbursal of compensation at the earliest possible.