Charhajare abduction case : Sit-in protests held, JAC formed
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, October 17 2022: Peaceful silent sit-in-protests were held at Charhajare and various other places in the State condemning the abduction of Roshan Uprety by unknown armed miscreants on Sunday afternoon from Charhajare in Kangpokpi district.

A Joint Action Committee against the abduction of Roshan Uprety was also formed this morning at Charhajare to spearhead the movement for the safe release of Roshan Uprety.

Earlier, in the morning the JAC had decided to take extreme decisions including bandh and a blockade if Roshan was not released before 6.30 this evening.

However, considering the spirited concern of the district administration, district police and the support and cooperation of the Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi and various CSOs, the JAC decided to wait for another 24 hours for the safe release of Roshan.

Charhajare abduction case : Sit-in protests held, JAC formed

JAC chairman, Mani Kumar Sarki however said if Roshan Uprety is not released by then, extreme decisions in consultation with all the CSOs of Kangpokpi will be taken up.

At Charhajare, the residential village of the 29-year-old father of two daughters, a peaceful silent sit-in-protest was held under the aegis of the JAC which demanded his safe release without any condition.

Similar sit-in-protest were also held at Serou, Kalapahar, Moreh, Leimakhong, Motbung, and other places by the All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union and its units.

The protesters at Charhajare held placards that read, "Release Roshan Uprety immediately", "Stop Gun Culture", "No to Guns, Yes to Peace", "We condemn kidnapping", "We want justice", "We demand safe release of Roshan Uprety", etc.

The JAC along with various other Gorkha civil bodies also resolved that they will launch intense forms of agitation in case Roshan Uprety is not released within the next 24 hours.

The JAC also demanded the State Government set up a Commando Post at Charhajare for the safety of the public and to prevent such unwanted incidents in the future.

The JAC further informed all the Gorkha civil bodies including the All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union Manipur and its units to organize peaceful dharnas at different locations and also close down all business establishments in their respective areas.

Various Gorkha civil bodies including All Manipur Gorkha Ex-Servicemen (Defence and CAPF) Association, All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union, and Navin Gorkha Youth Club Charhajare also condemned the abduction of Roshan Uprety, and demanded his safe release.

Speaking to the media, Sunita Uprety, wife of Roshan Uprety said that her husband is a differently-abled person owing to a major operation and is a cleft palate man who could not eat normally like others.

His health was also not well before he was abducted.

She continued that he did not have food for the past few days before he was abducted on Sunday afternoon and appealed to the abductors for his safe release considering his physical condition and the future of his two minor innocent daughters.

Roshan's wife Sunita also recalled that on October 15 afternoon at around 7.30, some 4/5 unknown persons came in a white car and one of them entered their house and enquired about the husband.

As she told the person that Roshan was not well and in bed sleeping, the unknown person left, said Sunita.

Roshan was abducted the next day at around 6.30 pm from Charhajare Bazar, few meters from his residence.

Somnath Uprety, the father, said his son Roshan is a peaceful person and he had no altercation with anybody.

Questioning why he was abducted, Somnath appealed to the abductors not to hurt or cause any harm to his son and release him safely at the earliest.

The JAC spokesperson, Vigyan Koirala said that the minority Gorkha community had been facing tremendous hardships in one way or the other frequently in Charhajare areas over the past many years and the abduction of Roshan Uprety is not the first incident in the area.

He continued that the State Government must set up a Commando post at Charhajare to avoid such incidents and various other forms of harassment, torture, etc to the minority Gorkha community.

JAC convenor, Mani Kumar Sarki while strongly condemning the abduction, appealed for Roshan's safe release.

Mention may be made that, Roshan Uprety is the current president of All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union Charhajare Unit, and he is also the vice president of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Charhajare Unit and an Assistant Teacher of Sanatan Sanskrit Vidhlaya, Charhajare.

Many organisations including Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union have condemned and demanded safe release of Roshan.