RK Meghen's case reaches four corners of the world
political implications discussed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 04 2010: A National convention on the legal and political implications of the 'abduction' of UNLF Chairman RK Sanayaima alias Meghen held here today has demanded that 'RK Meghen should be produced before a Court of law immediately, the charges against him be promptly informed to him and he should be brought to a fair trial within a reasonable time giving him the right to defend himself ; failing which he should be released'.

Organised under the joint aegis of Centre for Organisation, Research and Education (CORE); Human Rights Alert (HRA); Human Rights Initiative and Threatened Indigenous Peoples' Society it was further resolved that 'the over fifty years old Manipur-India political conflict, which has deeply and tragically affected the people of Manipur and every sphere of public life, should explore and seek a peaceful and just solution that is democratic and in accordance with the norms and precedence established under International law'.

While appealing to the 'International community and non-Governmental organisations to denounce the 'abduction' of Sanayaima alias RK Meghen, a leader of 'self-determination' movement for the people of Manipur, who had called for the right of the people of Manipur to hold a free and fair plebiscite under the aegis of the United Nations whether the people of Manipur would like to be part of the Indian Union or not', the convention also resolved that the resolutions adopted would be transmitted to all authorities concerned.

RK Meghen

Held at the hall of Manipur Dramatic Union, Yaiskul Police Lane here, the convention was chaired by retired Session Judge C Upendra.

Among the speakers, former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Yambem Laba observed that RTI should be invoked to find out the present process of the reported message that had been sent by the Government of India to its Bangladesh counterpart after Sanayaima was arrested in Dhaka.

Over and above this, journalists should make an attempt to go to Bangladesh to verify the report of Sanayaima's arrest or whether he had been handed over to India or not, he suggested.

Editor of Ereibak Irengbam Arun pointed out that the Governments of India and Bangladesh are yet to come out with any clear cut explanation on the reported arrest of Sanayaima in Bangladesh.

Describing RK Sanayaima as a political leader fighting for the cause of self-determination of Manipur, Arun categorically stated that the Government of India has not been sincere enough in its commitment tgo resolve the insurgency problem in North East region through political dialogue.

It is because of such non-committal stand on the part of India that UG groups in Manipur have not given any positive response to the move for political dialogue, he added.

Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang Khoirom Loyalakpa said that failure of Government of India to provide any definite information on the whereabouts of RK Sanayaima after his reported arrest in Bangladesh is an affront to the sentiment of the people of Manipur.

None of the leaders of various political parties in Manipur have also made their stand clear on the issue.

This is really shameful in front of other political leaders of the country, he said, while stressing on the need for a joint consultation between the State Government and the people to ensure that RK Sanayaima is produced.

State Secretary of CPI-M Ksh Shanta observed that since 1980 many people have disappeared in Manipur after they have been arrested by the security forces.

It is here that we need a public movement for the protection of human rights.

In respect of the human rights, necessary Parliamentary as well as extra-Parliamentary measures need to be taken up to find out the whereabouts of Sanayaima, he said.

Ex-MP Kim Gangte said that all other issues like who and what is Sanayaima should be left aside by the Centre and the State Government and take up necessary initiatives to find out his whereabouts considering the fact that he is a Manipuri.

Sadly, the Government of India and the Government of Manipur have not done anything in this regard.

This is quite unfortunate, she observed.

Human Rights activist from Tamil Nadu Henary Tiphange decried the self contradictory statement given by Union Home Secretary GK Pillai on the issue of Sanayaima, during his recent visit to Imphal, as irresponsible.

He also assured that to know the whereabouts of Sanayaima after his reported arrest in Bangladesh, the issue would be brought up in a meeting of the National Human Rights Commission slated to be held on November 26 .

Executive Director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam categorically observed that if the Government of India really wants peace in Manipur, Armed Forces Special Powers Act should be removed and stopped fooling around with the whereabouts of a leader like Sanayaima.

Arrest of Sanayaima is a political issue and if the Government of India wants to initiate political dialogue to bring about a political solution to the Manipur-India conflict, then Sanayaima should be produced, he demanded.

Opposition leader in State Assembly and president of NCP Manipur Pradesh Radhabinod Koijam asserted that it is wrong on the part of Government of India to maintain stoic silence over the issue of arresting Sanayaima.

He also assured that the State unit would taking up the issue with other party's National leaders of the party and take up every possible measures so that the whereabouts of Sanayaima is made public.