Exchange deal concerns Delhi Meetei CSOs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 03 2024:
Delhi Manipuri Society (DeMAS), Meitei Heritage Society and Ningols United Progressive Initiative (NUPI) conveyed their deep appreciation to the DG of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, the central and state security forces, the Government of Manipur and all individuals involved in the successful and safe release of the two Meetei youths.
Issuing a joint release, the Delhi-based Meetei CSOs informed that they held discussions with the Assam Rifles DG in Delhi on Wednesday, stressing the importance of securing the immediate and unconditional release of the two youths, without succumbing to the unlawful demands of Kuki militants.
The organisations also engaged with various stakeholders to ensure their safety.
While extending gratitude to the DG for hearing the concerns and appreciating the Manipur government for rejecting the Kuki militants' key demand for release of Kuki leader Mark Haokip, the CSOs expressed deep concerns over the decision to release 11 Kuki Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs) as part of the agreement to release the two youths.
Even though the inmates were granted bail but held back due to safety concerns, their release was a pre-condition set by the Kuki militants, which the government of Manipur has acceded to, it noted.
The release continued that throughout the on-going conflict, both sides have released civilians who unintentionally entered opposing territories on humanitarian grounds.
The current exchange deal, however, represents a troubling shift.
"This is the first instance where a group has taken civilians hostage and used them as leverage to meet illegal demands.
Kidnapping civilians to secure unlawful demand is an act of terrorism.
This action sets a dangerous precedent and may embolden other groups to employ similar tactics in the future.
The design makes it clear that it is no more Meetei-Kuki ethnic clash but some Kuki community waging war on Manipur, which is nothing but waging war on India," it asserted.
As such, to prevent setting a precedent, the three CSOs called upon the central and state security forces to launch an all-out operation to arrest the militants involved in the abduction of civilians and ensure they face exemplary punishment.