Powerful people fuelling anti-Babloo sentiment: CSOs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 27 2024: Deeply concerned over repeated attempts to portray human rights defender Babloo Loitongbam as anti-Meetei and pro-Kuki by Meitei Leepun, 16 civil society organisations (CSOs) of the state expressed suspicion that some very powerful people are trying to incite certain groups against Babloo and discourage him from sustaining selfless service for the people.

In a joint statement, the 16 CSOs said they will not accept Meitei Leepun's attempt to wrongly portray Babloo Loitongbam as a culprit by linking him to the arrest of Burmese Buddhist Mya Kyay Mon.

It said that Mya Kyay Mon is not a Kuki as alleged by Meitei Leepun as she belongs to Karen community of Myanmar and had already became a citizen of Norway.

She was apprehended by Assam Rifles on August 9, 2022 from Khudengthabi.

As per AR's statement she was handed over to Moreh police station as Mya Kyay Mon came to India on May 24, 2019 and her visa expired at the time her arrest.

Accordingly, she was handed over to Moreh PS and then sheltered at Foreigner Detention Centre at Sajiwa jail where she is presently lodged, the joint statement said adding that state home department should give present status of the case of Mya Kyay Mon's arrest.

Regarding the allegation that Babloo Loitongbam took money from Kukis and numerous mo'ney transactions had been made between him and Kukis, the 16 CSOs demanded proof/evidence from Meitei Leepun.

If Babloo happens to be wrong, there is no problem in giving punishment to him as per law but mob justice and threat to family members was unacceptable and condemnable, the joint statement said and urged government to look into the matter as per rule of law.

The joint statement also recalled contributions of Babloo Loitongbam to the society as a human rights defender in the past 30 years, specifically in the fight against Armed Forces Special Powers Act-1958 (AFSPA) and drugs.

The 16 CSOs also expressed suspicion that Babloo's matter is being brought into limelight to divert the present issue and to weaken the Meeteis into fighting each other with a hidden agenda as hill-valley divide is complete.

The 16 CSOs are Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), All Manipur Women's Social Reformation & Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup (Tammi Chingmi), Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup (NLANL), Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL), Apunba Nupi Lup (ANUL) Bishnupur, Thoubal District United Women's Development Organisation (Thoubal Ima), Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup (Macha Leima), Ereipak Enaat Chanura Loinsinlon EECHAL), Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM), United People's Front (UPF) Manipur, National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO), Manipur Peace & Integrity Council (MAPI Council), Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA), All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association (AMPFA) and a student organisation.

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