KUM condemns assault of president by KIA
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 02 2023:
Strongly condemning the assault of its president Serto Ahao Kom by KIA on baseless charges, Kom Union Manipur (KUM) said attack on the KUM president is an affront to the whole Kom community.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, KUM advisor Boyes Kom said Union president Serto was badly thrashed by cadres of Kuki Independent Army (KIA) af-,ter detaining him for a night with unfounded charges.
The incident happened at Chingphei village on July 31 evening when Serto Ahao Kom was on the way to his native Khoirentak village in Churachandpur district to meet his ailing father.
Without any questioning, KIA cadres detained Serto Ahao Kom the whole night and thrashed him black and blue, he said and strongly condemned excessive action of the KIA cadres.
Serto Ahao Kom is currently undergoing treatment at RIMS Ortho ward, he added.
According to Boyes Kom, peace loving Kom people are saddened by the brutal assault on KUM president without valid reason and asked major communities to stop discrimination and subjugation of the minorities.
He said a complaint regarding assault on KUM president will be lodged with police and the union is hoping for justice at the earliest.
Boyes further said that Serto was beaten with baseless charges that KUM aided participation of some villagers of Maibam Sinam Kom in the July 29 rally in Imphal, collusion with Arambai Tenggol in torching two houses at Khongnangpokpi and arrangement in stationing of BSF.
However, KUM never met or worked together with Arambai Tenggol though it communicated with COCOMI as KUM is a civil society organisation, Serto Ahao Kom reasoned adding that KUM would even meet Kuki Inpi if the need arise.
He then urged the government to provide security to Kom villages.
Serto Ahao Kom (45) told reporters that militants accused him of having links with Meitei bodies such as Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun and COCOMI.