'Dr Mark threat to unity, deserves punishment'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 01 2022: Around ten civil society organisations (IPSA, PANDM, IPAK, ACOAM-Lup, CLK, KANGLA MEI, KIL, KSA, KMA and ZU-Imphal Zone) have contended that International Human Right Association (IHRA) president Mark T Haokip should not be allowed to go scot-free for he is responsible for sowing seeds of discord amongst the different communities of the state.

According to a joint statement, the so-called president of IHRA made certain communal posts on Facebook and Twitter on November 23 last year, meant to incite enmity amongst the different communities of the state.

The 10 bodies made a complaint to Imphal police station on November 28 to arrest him at the earliest and award befitting punishment.

The complaint highlighted that not only Mark T Haokip questioned the rationale for according status of freedom fighter to Haipei Rani Gaidinlium but he also exhibited criminal and traitorous behaviours.

Although delayed, a team of Manipur Police arrested Mark T Haokip in Delhi and brought him to Imphal on May 27 this year, which is highly laudable, the CSOs said.

The joint statement continued that the complaint was made with the aim of preventing him from creating further discord in the multi-ethnic society.

The Manipur Government took the complaint seriously and as such, arrested Dr Mark, for which Kabui Mothers' Association general secretary Ranjita Golmei expressed appreciation on behalf of the 10 bodies during a press meet held recently.

The bodies' demand for stringent punishment of Mark T Haokip instead of allowing him to go scot-free is in the interest of the state and its integrity.

But in complete opposite to this, one Kipgen Naochong has been making unsavoury posts on Facebook.

Thus, efforts will be made to identify and apprehend the owner of this account, the joint statement stated, while adding that the 10 bodies will continue to stand against such acts and urged the government to take up necessary action in a timely manner.

Recalling the information IGP Themthing shared to the media about Mark T Haokip (37) being the self-styled president of proscribed 'Government of The People's Democratic Republic of Kukiland', which is demanding establishment of 'Kukiland'; the bodies said that regardless of whether one is a citizen or a member of an outfit, if he/she tries to sow seeds of discord among the different communities, then he/she must not be spared and instead given befitting punishment.

It would be even better to track down Dr Mark's accomplices so as to nip the issue in the bud, the joint statement added.

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