UPF demands release of its Vice Chairman and Deputy
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 22 2012:
The United People's Front, which is an umbrella organization of some Suspension of Operation (SoO)-signatory Kuki UG groups, has demanded unconditional release of its Vice Chairman Lalroupuia and his Deputy Viek.
Vice Chairman Lalroupuia and his Deputy Viek were reportedly arrested by Mizoram police from Silchar Airport on June 10 last.
Briefing media persons at an undisclosed place under Sadar hills area today, Jacob Thadou, ex-Convener of Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) informed that the act of arresting the two top officials of UPF is not acceptable and is condemned in the strongest terms.
He pointed out that detention of Lalroupuia and Viek by Mizoram police in spite of the guidelines given that members of the Front can travel anywhere across the country, is very unfortunate.
If this is the condition, then the tripartite peace talk between the Union Government, the State government and UPF would bear no fruit.
Jacob informed that Convener of UPF L Sangahamar is today reluctant to leave the Ankhurou camp of UPF to attend the monthly meeting of JMG on fear of being getting arrested.
The act of the Mizoram police is a big blow to the tripartite talk.
Raising questions on the act of Mizoram police in arresting the duo beyond their jurisdiction, Jacob observed that there seems to be a hidden agenda of the Indian government behind the arrest.
For the smooth tripartite talk between Central government, State government and UPF, the Central and State government should press the Mizoram government to release Vice Chairman Lalroupuia and his Deputy Viek unconditionally and all the charges leveled against them by Mizoram police should be withdrawn.