Human rights activist clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 24 2024:
Human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam has refuted all allegations against him.
"I have been working as a human rights defender for the last three decades.
I believe in the peaceful co-existence and co-development of all communities in Manipur.
I have no financial transaction with any Kuki militant outfit or individuals.
Therefore, the allegation that I have received money from the Kukis is unfounded," Babloo said in a statement he issued to the media today.
On the morning of September 23, some fifty young men came to his house and threatened his family against him coming out in any public domain, the executive director of the Human Rights Alert said.
The incident took place a day after a press conference called by the Meitei Leepun (ML) wherein false charges were levelled against him and people were warned against working with him, said Babloo.
Notably, the video clips of the press conference as well as the visit to Babloo's home have gone viral on social media.
"As a human rights defender, I stand up for the right of every person to seek asylum in another country when they are facing persecution in their own country.
This includes asylum seekers in India from Myanmar through the medium of appropriate institutions like a functioning Regional Foreigner Registration Office or by giving access to the UN High Commissioner for Refugee to offer its humanitarian services in Manipur," Babloo said.
It is through a clear and transparent refugee policy where their basic rights including their right to return to their home country when the situation improves, that the land rights of the indigenous people will be preserved and not the other way round, he argued.
Further, the woman referred to in the ML press conference as the "PDF Women Wing Commander" is Mya Kyay Mon.
She was referred to the Human Rights Alert (HRA) as a woman prisoner in distress, Babloo said.
As empanelled lawyers under the Manipur Legal Services Authority, HRA offered legal aid, secured her bail and referred her to a women's home in Imphal pending her trial.
She is a citizen of Norway and is of Burma-Buddhist origin.
She is not a Chin nor a Christian as widely circulated online, babloo clarified.
"The only charge levelled was that of overstaying her visa.
There is no other charge against her.
To the best of our knowledge, she is still detained in Imphal jail.
The allegation that I have accompanied her to the UN and the US to raise funds is factually incorrect as she is still placed under judicial custody by the State authority," Babloo said.
Babloo said he is not in touch with any functionaries of the Manipur Meitei Association Bangalore.
"The "upcoming program of a Naga-Kuki-Meitei meeting" to frame the Meiteis for genocide is another figment of imagination and I have no idea about it, whatsoever," Babloo said.
Meanwhile, the Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore has also responded to ML's press meet of September 22 .
MMAB said it has acknowledged the concerns raised and clarified that it has neither organised nor has any plans to organize any programmes or events as claimed.
"We understand the potential for misleading information being shared by vested interests seeking to divide the Meitei community and tarnish our reputation.
However, we believe that through open dialogue and engagement, we can prevent misunderstandings, strengthen unity, and work together for the betterment of Ema Leibak Manipur...
We are hopeful that ML's leadership will come to recognize and appreciate MMAB's activism," it said.
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