Many plea for release of abducted kids, women
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 13 2024:
Several organisations have appealed to all concerned, government authorities in particular, to act immediately for the safe release of the three minors and three women abducted by Kuki-Zo militants on November 11 .
Among others, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar called upon communities, stakeholders, agencies, etc., involved in the ongoing conflict in the state to respect and safeguard the right to life, fundamental rights, dignity and safety of innocent children and women.
Expressing concern over children and women belonging to the warring communities losing their lives during the conflict, the chairperson said recent abduction of the six civilians on November 11 has deepened the sense of the insecurity, frustration and inexpressible anguish amongst the masses.
Condemning all forms of violence targeting children and womenfolk of any community or ethnic group they belong to as they are not combatants, but innocent, helpless victims of the unrest situation, he urged those responsible to immediately release the women and children without any condition on humanitarian ground.
Pradipkumar also asked agencies concerned to take up all possible measures to rescue the abductees at the earliest possible.
Meanwhile, Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) and Youth Collective Manipur (YCM) submitted ah urgent appeal to United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions for immediate intervention to save the lives of women and children abducted by suspected Kuki armed groups, which are signatories of the suspension of operation (SoO) pact with the government of India.
Stating that six were taken hostage after the militants attacked and torched Meetei houses in a Jiribam village, they urged the UN to prevail upon the government of India to investigate the abduction, work towards the swift release of the missing civilians and hold the perpetrators accountable under international human rights and humanitarian law.
In separate releases, Global Manipur Federation, Manipur IMA, Manipur Meitei-Pangal Welfare Organisation and Republican Party of India (Athawale), Manipur condemned the abduction of women and minors by Kuki militants and killing of two elderly men.
Expressing that the abducted persons pose no threat to any groups, they called upon both state and central governments to maximise efforts to secure the release of the abducted civilians and ensure safety of all denizens in Jiribam.
Meanwhile, United Kingdom-based Meitei Alliance, in a release, raised concern over the escalating terrorist attacks in Manipur, stating that the recent hostage-taking of three minor children and three women by Kuki terrorist groups - an inhumane attack on the most vulnerable members of society - is an atrocity that demands immediate action.
These terrorist groups, driven by a narrow ethnocentric agenda, must be rooted out at all costs, it asserted, and called on the government to act swiftly to rescue the hostages, protect innocent lives, and dismantle the terrorist networks.
Inaction is no longer an option, it added.
The Alliance also demanded proactive measures and urged all elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation, to fulfil their duty and help in bringing an end to this crisis.
Meanwhile, Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union (MMTU) has also appealed for the safe release of the abducted women and children.
In a press release, MMTU said that Kuki-Zo militants should be civilised and release the Women and children, instead of continuing to hold them hostage.
It also urged the central government to intervene and take action immediately to secure their release.
It further suggested communicating with the neighbouring states and take up necessary security measures.
MMTU then said that abducting women and children and holding them hostage is a war crime and against international humanitarian laws.
Making the innocent women and children victims of this conflict is the most barbaric thing to do.
It further commented that the central government, when it comes to the people of the State particularly the Meetei community, do not regard them as citizens of this country.
When the incident of two Kuki women being paraded naked came to light last year, the PM expressed his shock to the media.
However, he and his government along with all the other leaders of the country have been silent with the recent abduction of the six women and children by Kuki-Zo militants.
The government also remained silent when the wife of a freedom fighter was burnt to death by the militants in Serou last year and the abduction of two youths, who had gone to participate in an army recruitment drive in September this year.
The youth were subsequently released in exchange for Kuki prisoners.
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