Allegations fly thick and fast : Abducted ADC members freed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 21 2012:
Even as the underground Kuki National Front (KNF) has freed three abducted members of Sadar Hills ADC from its Ebenezer Camp last night, Chairman of the ADC SH Seipu alleged that seven members of the ADC have been abducted by the KRA since March 3 .
Meanwhile, the KNF, a party to SoO agreement and the outfit said to be involved in the abduction of the three ADC members said that the three members including the Vice-Chairman, Haokholal Hangshing were abducted to free seven other members of Sadar Hills ADC who were held hostage by the KRA since March 2 and 3 .
Speaking to The Sangai Express today, Haokholal Hangshing said three of them including Thangkam and Seilun Khongsai were abducted from the house of Thangkam Misao located at Checkon on the night of March 19 .
He said they were taken to the Ebenezer Camp of the KNF.
Haokholal further pointed out that Chairman of SHADC SH Seipu and his wife had accompanied the KNF cadres while abducting them.
Seipu and his wife did not however step down from the vehicle.
Moving a no confidence motion, it may be mentioned, 16 of the 26 members SHADC have been camping against the Chairman.
Undaunted by the abduction, Haokholal Hangshing said he would not move back unless his colleagues agree to do so.
Meanwhile, Chairman of SHADC Seipu Haokip today alleged that the KRA cadres had abducted seven ADC members.
Speaking to The Sangai Express at his Motbung residence, Seipu said seven ADC members including one member each from the Nepali and Naga communities were taken into custody by the KRA on March 3.They were kept at Gamnom designated camp of the KRA.
He said the members were coerced to join the camp of Vice Chairman Haokholal by the KRA cadres.
He said that he informed the Government authority about the incident on time.
He appealed the KRA for the safe release of the abducted members.
Refuting the news report in some sections of the media that his vehicle was used in the abduction of the three members from Checkon area, Seipu further clarified that he was in no way related with the abduction of Vice Chairman of the SHADC and two other members.
"It was an attempt to malign my image and ruin my political career by some vested interests," Seipu clarified.
In the meantime, the KNF justified today that the abduction act was to safeguard democracy.
In a statement, the Deputy Defence of KNF, P Chongloi said it was not with an intention against democracy nor the State and its government, but to support in bringing democracy and the fundamental rights to all its citizens as stated by the Constitution.
The KNF statement further asserted that the three members were abducted in order to bring back the seven SHADC members abducted by the KRA on March 2 and 3 .
It alleged that complaint about the abduction was not accepted by the concerned authority instead they were busy excusing for loopholes and the complaint went unheard.
The outfit does not blame any but wishes the problems to be solved, it stated while apologising to all.
The outfit also acknowledged the initiatives taken by MLAs Nemcha Kipgen and Ngamthang Haokip, SHWU, and Kpi Women Welfare Organisation.
It further appealed the KRA to release the seven abducted SHADC members.