Kangpokpi decries SoO violation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 29 2009: Alleging that troops of 36 Assam Rifles violated SoO ground rules by killing a KNF activist after taking him into custody, a large number of people took out a protest rally at Kangpokpi today.

The KNF activist was reportedly in civilian dress when he was pulled up by AR troops.

After holding a public meeting at Kangpokpi Thomas ground, the corpse of the deceased was claimed by the family members from Kangpokpi police station.

The meeting resolved to launch various forms of agitation including highway blockade in case no positive response comes forth from the Government within seven days in connection with the killing.

A huge rally taken out at Kangpokpi against the killing of a KNF cadre in captivity

The deceased KNF cadre has been identified as Thangginlal Kipgen alias Robert s/o Paolen Kipgen of Haipi village.

He was reportedly shot dead by AR troops at Venthah Leikai, Kangpokpi.

According to the report furnished by AR to police, he was shot as he attempted to flee on seeing AR troops.

One 9 mm pistol was also recovered from his possession.

In connection with the killing a case has been registered at Kangpokpi police station.

However, local people claimed that Thangginlal was shot dead in cold blood after he was apprehended.

In protest against the killing, a large number of people took out a rally from Keithelmanbi till Kangpokpi ADC office.

There, they a submitted a memorandum to the ADC for further conveyance to the Chief Minister.

The protesters carried placards which read as "We want justice", "Respect human rights", "Stop killing civilians" etc.

They also shouted various slogans all along the course of the rally.

Ahead of the rally, the irate people vandalised around 10 passenger buses near Sapermeina bazar.

The memorandum submitted to the Kangpokpi ADC contended that the AR's report about recovery of a pistol from the deceased was a blatant lie.

It asserted that the killing of an unarmed KNF cadre by Assam Rifles has thrown a spanner on the road to peace.

The killing has destroyed people's faith in the paramilitary force, it mentioned.

The memorandum also demanded immediate withdrawal of the allegation that a gun was recovered from Robet as well as a clear assurance that no Kuki UG cadres would be killed in cold blood in future.

Another point of the memorandum was initiation of necessary legal action against the AR personnel involved in the killing.

In case the Government fails to come up with a positive response to the demands within seven days, various forms of agitation including highway blockade will be launched, mentioned the memorandum.

The memorandum was signed by Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Chungkham Haokip, president of the Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association Nengneilhing Singsit, KSO Sadar Hills president Lamkholal Sitlhou and TSA Sadar Hills president Lamminlun Singsit.

Hill Areas Committee Chairman and MLA of Kangpokpi A/C Thangminlen Kipgen and Saitu A/C MLA Haokholet Kipgen were also present when leaders of the vulontary organisations submitted the memorandum to the Kangpokpi ADC.

Kuki Inpi president Chungkham decried that the SoO pact signed by Kuki UG groups in response to Kuki people's desire for peace has been violated by Assam Rifles.

Alleging that the gun reportedly recovered from the KNA cadre was placed near the corpse of AR troops, Chungkham said that today's rally was aimed at highlighting the public apprehension of similar fake encounters targeting civilians.

He also appealed to all Kuki UG groups honour SoO ground rules and also to shun all forms of violence.

HAC Chairman Thangminlen Kipgen said that people's expectation of peace from SoO pact has been belied by non-abidance of ground rules by among some Kuki UG groups.

He decried that Assam Rifles have also violated ground rules.

During the meeting with leaders of the voluntary organisations, the Kangpokpi ADC termed the killing unfortunate.

He lamented that the incident has created distrust between KNF and Assam Rifles.