Moreh firing of July 13 : TSA accuses HTC Moreh of 'obstructing' justice
demands NIA/CBI probe
Source: The Sangai Express
Tengnoupal, August 28 2018:
The Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has strongly advised the Hill Tribal Council (HTC), Moreh not to "try and obstruct" justice over the July 13 Moreh firing at residences including the home of president of TSA Moreh Block, Thongminglun Haokip allegedly by heavily armed cadres of the "Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA)".
It may be noted that in the wee hours of July 13, heavily armed unknown assailants had fired and hurled bombs at some residences of Gamnom Veng, Moreh Ward No 2 causing havoc and fear among the locality.
Many organisations had denounced the unprovoked attack on civilians.
Pointing its finger at HTC for alleged obstruction of justice, the TSA in a statement issued by the secretary Information & Publicity Kamsanglen Singsit today, said that it condemns the president of HTC, Ginkhosei Lhungdim, for allegedly threatening TSA leaders(s) over phone to withdraw a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the incident.
TSA had already filed the PIL in the Manipur High Court on August 16 over the July 13 Moreh attack.
"If Ginsei or any other persons or groups threaten any of the TSA leaders again, TSA will no longer hesitate to file an FIR or take them to Court," warned TSA.
"The media statement of HTC, Moreh that appeared in various newspapers on August 28 in connection with the July 13 Moreh attack was nothing but merely a desperate attempt to cover up the evil and criminal act of the KNO/KNA and to mislead the public and the Court," alleged TSA.
TSA further reiterated its claim that the attack was allegedly carried out by the KNO/KNA to "murder" innocent children and civilians and that it was not a gun fight between two armed groups.
TSA clarified that its demand for justice in the July 13 Moreh firing have nothing to do with the relation between two underground groups, the UKLF and KNA.
"Neither TSA nor Thingminlun had no knowledge nor involvement in the peace commission or peace banquet at Moreh on July 23 between the two groups.
If HTC negates this then it should come out with proper evidence instead of making baseless and false propaganda to downplay the seriousness of the attack and to hide the truth," said TSA.
"What we want is arrest of the culprits and the masterminds of the attack on civilians and speedy delivery of justice.
We want nothing more, nothing less.
We will not compromise on this and we will not rest until all those involved in this heinous crime are arrested and justice is delivered," TSA continued.
The TSA also clarified that it had approached the Chief Minister and the police, before taking the matter to Court, for appropriate actions against the perpetrators.
All efforts ended in mere assurances without any action, said TSA.
"We no longer have confidence in the State police to bring justice in the incident and therefore we prayed to the Court that the case be handed over either to National Investigation Agency or Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure investigation in the most free and unbiased manner for timely delivery of justice," said TSA.
"As the supreme commander of KNO/KNA, which has claimed responsibility for the attack, PS Haokip, the president of KNO has been included as one of the respondents in the PIL writ petition along with his associates, including Thahpi Haokip alias Thangboi alias Thahpi, Moreh commander of KNO/KNA and the alleged leader of the attack team in the July 13 Moreh terror attack," informed the TSA.
"We appeal to HTC and other organisations and individuals to stop interfering unduly in this matter, but allow the law to take its due course of action to bring speedy justice in public interest," urged TSA.