Kuki students call on NHRC, NCW
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal
New Delhi, September 13 2011:
Kuki students in Delhi have condemned in the strongest terms the alleged atrocities committed by armed personnel of 43rd Assam Rifles on peaceful women agitators at Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi and Keithelmanbi where over 100 women were injured, 5 in critical condition.
The student team met the National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Mamta Sharma today and submitted an appeal letter to immediately intervene into the matter.
Assuring that she would take up the matter with the Government, the NCW Chairperson told the student's team that she would immediately write to the Chief Secretary of Manipur, the DG / GOC of Assam Rifles and also the Union Home Ministry.
Mamta Sharma told the students that the Commission would initiate a process for judicial inquiry into the incidents.
It may also be mentioned that the student's team also sent an appeal letter to the National Human Rights Commission seeking immediate intervention.
"Our concern is the human rights violation and atrocities on women" said student leader Lamtinthang Haokip, further adding "No doubt we are concerned about Sadar Hills issue, which is basically a violation of our right to a full fledged
district" .
Lamenting the Government's continued silence over the Sadar Hill matter, the student leader said "if Sadar Hills have been declared a district, all this undesired incident wouldn't have taken place" .
In their letter to the NHRC and the NCW the Kuki Students Organization stated that the Assam Rifles personnel led by the Commanding Officer escorted about 30 civilian trucks on September 6 claiming to be carrying army supplies, but carrying other goods.
Women who prevented the passage of the said trucks were manhandled by the AR personnel.
Similar incidents took place on September 9 and August 31 as well.
The student body demanded immediate and fitting punishment to the CO of 43 AR .
It also demanded to institute a judicial inquiry over the blatant human rights violation against peaceful women demonstrators.
The student organization called upon the National Human Rights Commission and the Women Commission to exert pressure on the State Government to declare Sadar Hill a full fledged district immediately.