ZSF justifies SoO cadres' involvement
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 15 2023:
Reacting to the in-struction to SoO group cadres to return to their designated camps and to the Assam Rifles to check them, the Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) justified the involvement of cadres of the SoO groups stating that it is natural for them not to remain silent when tribals are killed.
In a press communique, ZSF informed that the DGP, ADGP, IGP, DIG and central as well state government bureaucrats, who belong to Kuki/Zo community were attacked, some were thrashed to death and their official residences/quarters attacked, burnt and looted in a broad daylight.
People's representatives belonging to Kukis/Zo community were waylaid, pulled out from their official vehicle and thrashed without mercy.
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It maintained that col-lege students and youths, who had joined different competitive coaching cen-tres in Imphal were pulled - out , thrashed and asked to call Kuki/Zo leaders, who can rescue them.
Church pastors were thrashed and churches in Imphal city were attacked, burnt and Meitei Salai Taret flag unfurled by the side of the church cross, it added It further stated that health workers in different state & central hospitals be-longing to the Kuki corn-munity were pulled-out, some thrashed to death and asked them to seek mercy and added that all these in-cidents took place in Imphal city where offices are located right under the nose of se-curity personnel.
When tribals are shot with live bullets, pulled out from vehicle and killed on the streets, it is obvious that the SoO cadres, who are committed to the cause of their people, would react according to the situation, ZSF said and reminded that SoO was signed between the central and state security forces but not with Arambai Tengol clad in uniforms of state forces.
However, the ZSF clarified that it is not aware about involvement of SoO cadres in the shootout between Arambai Tengol and armed tribal volunteers.