TSA condemns murder of Satkhohao Haokip
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 02 2024:
Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has strongly condemned the heinous murder of Satkhohao Haokip by Kuki militants at Kaprang in Churachandpur district on September 30 .
In a release, TSA spokesperson Vicky Thadou stated that the senseless act of violence has sent shockwaves among the communities residing in the district.
"We demand justice for the victim and his family, " he said, while adding, "We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence and lawlessness in the area between Kangvai and Tuibuong, particularly in light of the attempted murder of Th German Haokip on August 2, and the repeated terror attacks on Michael Lamjathang Haokip, the most recent being the burning down of his ancestral home on August 31 by criminals or armed militants with Kuki supremacist agenda".
Mention may also be made that a local woman namely Boinu was found murdered in the same area at B Veng-nom on September 16 and the matter had been buried without any proper investigation and justice, he stated.
Vicky also decried that the inaction of the district police in connection with these previous incidents has emboldened malevolent elements to continue their nefarious and terror activities unabated.
The law and order situation in Churachandpur has deteriorated from bad to worse.
Cold blooded murders, incitement of violence, arson attacks, death threats, intimidation and all acts of terrorism by Kuki militants have become the norm without any concern for human lives and public safety, he alleged.
The TSA spokesperson continued that despite heavy deployment of security forces of both state and centre in the Kangvai to Tuibong area in Churachandpur district, making it a high security zone, there is total lawlessness and complete breakdown of security in the area, the administration of which appears to have been completely overrun by Kuki extremist groups, including the local armed militant and civil society organisations and some politicians, even before the violence broke out on May 3, 2023 but increasingly getting worse since.
Has the Indian government abandoned its citizens in this part of the country to the mercy of criminals and anti-social illegal elements that seem to have overpowered and dictating the local government authorities and the general public? Central and state governments must answer this important question, he posed.
"TSA would like to reiterate our demand for swift action from the authorities concerned to apprehend the culprits of attacks on Michael Lamjathang at the earliest".
"If the local law enforcement authorities had been serious enough to take actions for justice, the perpetrators of the crime and the masterminds would have been put in jail and further violent incidents would have been prevented.
Had our earlier pleas been heard and security measures beefed up, the situation could have been different," he reasoned.
The spokesperson further alleged that the indifferent attitude of the district police also raises eyebrows whether they are in cohort with the perpetrators.
Further, in spite of the state government's decision to hand over the case of the terror incidents and arson attack on the residence of Michael Lamjathang Haokip to the nation s top anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), no substantial step or progress is visible on the ground, he claimed.
Vicky maintained that further delay in the investigation will only further embolden the Kuki militants and law-breaking extremists to act according to their whims and fancies without any respect for the law.
Obviously, criminals and terrorists get encouraged to commit more crimes and terrorist activities where there is no consequence for their actions, he noted.
"We would also like to question the government as to why stringent and exemplary steps are not taken to deter the perpetrators from disregarding the law.
Is it that the government has disowned the area and given free hand to all the arms-wielding Kuki militant groups oper ating in the area to run the show?" "If that is the case then it is really a sad state of affairs and any hope for justice is a far cry.
If not, then the government needs to take immediate action to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice without beating around the bush," he demanded.
Vicky further mentioned that TSA stands in solidarity with the family of the late Satkhohao Haokip and offers heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
"We urge all concerned to engage in dialogue to resolve any difference rather than pick up arms and shedding blood.
Killing is not the end but rather the genesis for sowing seeds of hatred and discord in the society" .
"We also request all right thinking people with sane minds to condemn the violent incidents and take steps to work together to prevent further violence and promote peace and respect for human life," he further appealed.
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