Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 20 2010:
A day after family members of UNLF chairman RK Meghen alias Sanayaima filed a case with the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, MPP, BJP and CPI have demanded that Government of India and the State Government come up with an explanation on the reported arrest of the rebel leader in Bangladesh.
As for CPI, a meeting has also been convened tomorrow to discuss the issue.
Whereabouts of RK Meghen, who has been leading the secessionist group, UNLF in fighting for the independence of Manipur from India, have remained a highly kept 'State secret' after his reported arrest by a combined team of RAW and Bangladesh police from near Dhaka on September 29 last.
Meanwhile, leader of MPP Legislature Wing O Joy has demanded that the true facts about the reported arrest of RK Meghen in Bangladesh should be furnished if the Government of India really has a definite stand on ending the problem of insurgency through peace talks.
Talking to mediapersons at the State Assembly here today, O Joy said that leaving aside the question of whether he is a UG leader or not, the Government of India ought to come out with an explanation on whether he had been arrested or where is he now, if at all he is arrested.
The State Govt should also take up the matter with the Centre, Joy pointed out, adding that difference of opinion between India and Bangladesh over the reported arrest of RK Meghen needs to be sorted out.
Echoing the same sentiments, State secretary of CPI Langol Iboyaima, while talking to The Sangai Express, said that the Centre should come out with a true account of the reported arrest of RK Meghen in Bangladesh.
He informed that to discuss the issue, a meeting of the party has been convened tomorrow morning.
Addressing a press conference at the party office here this afternoon, State unit BJP president Sh Shantikumar has categorically stated that inability to find out the whereabouts of RK Meghen after his arrest in Bangladesh amounts to deprivation of human rights.
There is also confusion over the self contradictory statements given by the Union Home Secretary over the arrest of RK Meghen.
So, the Centre should make its stand clear on the issue to the people and more particularly to the worried family members of RK Meghen, Shantikumar demanded.
If the report of the arrest is true, then trial can be conducted and negotiation can be done, he added.
Talking to mediapersons at Tulihal Airport before leaving Imphal for New Delhi today, Union Home Secretary GK Pillai assured that since UNLF itself has claimed that RK Meghen had been arrested, the Government of India would be taking up the matter with its Bangladesh counterpart and request for allowing interrogation.