Missing Case Of Alice Kamei, Sanahanbi Devi : Against UN Conventions, Says United NGOs Mission
Bodies want return of 'missing girls"
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 04 2013:
Asking the proscribed RPF/PLA to hand over the two school girls to their respective parents within a week's time, United NGOs Mission - Manipur said it would be compelled to launch strong agitation against the outfit in case the girls are not released.
On the otherhand, All Zeliangrong Students' Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Zeliangrong Youth Front-AMN and Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur demanding immediate release of Alice Kamei, one of the missing girls, questioned alleged inaction by the school authorities.
Consequent to the RPF/PLA reportedly conceding that both the girls are in its custody, Mission co-convenor Sobita Mangsatabam told media persons at Manipur Press Club today that under United Nations' convention on the 'Rights of the Child 'forbids non-state actors and guerilla forces from recruiting anyone under the age of 18 for any purpose and their use in hostilities', the banned organisation should clarify on the issue as well as ensure immediate release of the both, who are students of Grace Reach Academy, a residential school in Wangoi.
Whereabouts of Alice Kamei (14) of Chingphu Kamei Village under Wangoi police station and Khaidem Sanahanbi Devi (15) of Upokpi, Bishnupur remained unknown since their disappearances from the school hostel on March 10 .
On the otherhand, RPF/PLA today contended that both came to one of the outfit's camps on their own volition.
With the armed organisation eventually claiming that both are in its custody, RPF/PLA should uphold revolutionary ethics of not engaging minors in their campaign and thus ensure their safe and immediate release, reacted Sobita while pointing out that 'Deed of Commitment of the Geneva Call' also prohibits children from being exposed to dangers.
Claiming that in the past too there had been instances of minors recruited by armed groups in the State, the co-convenor observed that every rather than exposing children to perilous situations the future pillars of the society need to be guaranteed their enshrined rights, including right to education.
Expressing doubt that Alice and Sanahanbi might have volunteered to join the outfit, she reiterated that NGOs would start intense movements if both are not released within the specified time-frame.
The Mission's Imphal West and Bishnupur districts coconvenors namely Kh Jibanmala and L Pishak were also present during the media briefing.
Meanwhile, a joint statement of AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM highlighted that respecting each other is the only means to promote peace and understanding in the multi-ethnic Manipur society.
The RPF/PLA not responding to the people's voice demanding safe release of minor girl Alice Kamei, held captive by the outfit since March 10, despite various protests is an act of underestimating the people's voice, said the joint statement.
Opining that the proscribed outfit sending unofficial message without releasing the minor girl amounts to suppressing the people's movement, AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM asserted that defying the people's voices is also an act of psychological intimidation to the public leaders intent on confusing the com mon people.
Affirming that the ongoing movement would be intensified till the girl is released, the Zeliangrong bodies also cautioned the outfit concerned against any attempt to intimidate public leaders involved in the agitation.
Reacting strongly against Grace Reach Academy reportedly resuming normal classes despite uncertainty about the whereabouts of Alice Kamei, they expressed that reason for delay in release of the minor girl might be due to non-cooperation and support from the side of the school authority.
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