Overseas Kukis demand unconditional release
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, May 26 2022:
The Kuki Overseas Community Network, Malaysia branch, Kaula Lumpur has urged the State Government to expedite every essential procedure for the immediate and unconditional release of the International Human Rights Association (IHRA), Manipur Chapter president Mark Haokip.
Albert Seimang Leovictor Haokip, information and publicity secretary of the Kuki Overseas Community Network, Malaysia branch said that the Kuki general public in unison urge the Government of Manipur to release the human rights activist and social reformer without any further procrastination.
Strongly condemning the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of Dr Mark Haokip, the Kuki Overseas Community Network stated that the FIRs were lodged against the IHRA President with ulterior motives.
While terming the arrest of the IHRA Manipur Chapter president as "ill-fated and tragic" in the history of human rights in India, the Kuki Overseas Community Network considered the arrest as blatant discrimination of human rights and fraudulent misuse of State power and authority.
It continued that Dr Mark Haokip is a Kuki social reformer and 'truth sayer' representing the tribal Kuki people who dared to stand tall to voice against the draconian policies of the State Government which are biased with prejudice and double standard practices.
It also said that Dr Mark Thangmang Haokip was unjustly and erroneously slapped Section 505 IPC for allegedly making statements conducing to public mischief and was also charged under 153-A IPC for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and/or doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony while his actual voice has been trying to protect and preserve the rights of the ethnic Kuki community in every possible way from the repressive measures taken up by the State Government targeting the particular Kuki people under the dramatic excuse of deforestation and War on Drugs.
It further stated that Dr Mark Thangmang Haokip did neither make, publish nor circulate any statement containing rumours with the intent to create or incite feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities or any other ground whatsoever as has been allegedly charged by the police.
"We strongly condemn the Manipur State police action for faultily and egotistically charging and scapegoating Dr Mark Thangmang Haokip as one who is usually and habitually raising voices likely to instigate violence as purely unfortunate, misleading, and corrupted", it stated.
Our Staff Reporter adds : A statement issued by the Kuki Inpi Manipur on July 23, 2021 said, "Apropos to the adverse comments by one Mark Thangkhomang Haokip alias Mark Haokip, president of the so-called International Human Rights Association (IHRA), Manipur Chapter which pop up in social media every now and then giving statements intending to provoke hatred and disharmony among the different communities living in the State, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) would like to clarify to all concerned that KIM has no connection with such organisation called IHRA nor given the mandate to represent the voice of the Kukis.
"Owing to his misleading and provocative statements, Mr Thangkhomang alias Mark Haokip was summoned by the Kuki Inpi Manipur on April 14, 2020 .
He was reprimanded and forgiven after he admitted he was wrong and apologised for all his misleading statements.
In spite of his pledge not to repeat releasing of such misleading statements in the future, he continues the same provocative and misleading statements every now and then", read the statement issued by KIM one year back.