Govt asked to prove 'zero tolerance on terrorism' stand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 30 2024: Both central and state governments need to explore all possible options available to save the two youths abducted and held hostage by Kuki militants.

It is time for the double-engine government to put its 'zero tolerance on terrorism' into action, said senior advocate and former Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) acting chairperson Khaidem Mani.

Addressing the media at his Loklaobung residence on Monday, Mani said that while one of three youths, who lost their way en route to Keithelmanbi to participate in an AR recruitment on September 27, was rescued and safely returned to his family, the other two youths are still being held hostage as is evident from a video circulated on social media platforms on Sunday, wherein the two begged the chief minister to rescue them.

Their abductors are demanding transfer of Kuki prisoners in Sajiwa Jail to Churachandpur and for the release of alleged secessionist Mark T Haokip, as per reports published in the newspapers, he maintained, adding that the abduction and subsequent demand for release of prisoners is basically highest level of terrorism.

Mani continued that the current issue is no longer a conflict between two ethnicities, as claimed, but rather a deliberate and intentional attempt to destroy Manipur with the help of external forces.

It is a well-planned conspiracy to show that there is Kuki-occupied territory/land in Manipur.

Under this conspiracy, people are being abducted for ransom.

As such, the government should show that such pressure will not topple the government and galvanise all available resources and machineries to rescue the two hostages, in addition to putting an end to terrorism in the state, he asserted.

Mani then said that it is right for some organisations to try and sow discord amongst the people by accusing someone is Kuki sympathiser or supporter without verifying or providing evidence of the same.

There is no single Meetei in Manipur who will agree to end his own community by helping a Kuki, he opined.

"It must be noted that just because someone says that not all Kukis are enemies of Meeteis and that not all Meeteis are enemies of Kukis, he/she automatically becomes a Kuki sym-pathiser/supporter.

Thus, if anyone amongst us is ignorant or is mistaken, he/she can be made to understand through proper conservation, or one can approach the law for the same.

Allowing someone to clarify or rectify shows camaraderie and unity," he stated, and hoped such misunderstandings will not occur in the future.

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