Zeliangrong stir
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01, 2013:
After imposing a 48-hour total blockade on NHs in Zeliangrong areas demanding the release of Alice Kamei, a Class IX student of Grace Reach Academy, Hiyanglam who has been held in captivity allegedly by an underground outfit, the All Zeliangrong Students' Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN) and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur announced that they would launch sit-in protests in the valley district from April 3 as the second phase of their agitation.
According to a statement, the sit-in protest would be held on April 3 in Imphal East, April 4 in lmphal West, April 5 in Bishnupur and April 6 in Churachandpur districts.
Alice Kamei d/o Chakri alias Punsichao Kamei, a resident of Chingphu Zeliangrong village under Nambol Assembly Constituency, a Class-lX student at Grace Reach Academy, Hiyanglam, Thoubal district has been allegedly held in captivity since sometimes last month.
The Zeliangrong bodies' statement asserted that there is no legal sanction universally to absorb any minor who has not attained the age of 18 in any armed organizations.
It added that persons below 18 years are not entitled the right to vote while also pointing out that girl under 18 years are not allowed marriage and boys under 18 years are not allowed recruitment in the any armed forces.
It conveyed that prolong keeping of the minor girl in captivity by the concerned organisation amounts to dishonouring the public voice, the statement also lambasted the State Govt for its alleged �insensitiveness' and lack of commitment in the matter.
To secure the release of the minor girl, the Zeliangrong people, in collaboration with different social organisations, will take up serious and intense forms of democratic agitation including public rally in the Hills and Valley districts as a third phase of democratic agitation against the captivity of the minor girl, the statement added.