Kuki-Zo bodies demand release, serve ultimatum
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, January 16 2024:
In a strongly worded statement, the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT) has served a 24-hour ultimatum to release Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate who are said to be their executive members.
KIT contended that the alleged framing and arrest of Philip K Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate as killers of SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar Singh is baseless and false.
The KIT asked the present custodian of the two men to release them without any condition within 24 hours else there would be serious repercussions from the people of Tengnoupal district.
Meanwhile, ITLF and CoTU have vehemently condemned the detention of two Kuki-Zo men by Manipur police commandos in Moreh yesterday.
The two bodies also refuted the alleged attempt by the State Government and propaganda handles on social media to link them to the killing of a Manipur Police officer.
The two Kuki-Zo top bodies stated that Moreh Youth Club president Philip K Khongsai, who is also the executive of KIT, and Hemkholal Mate were with womenfolk protesting against a proposed commando outpost at Chikim village in Moreh when policemen allegedly fired live rounds at the unarmed protesters, injuring a couple of women in the process.
It recalled that Philip and Hemkholal were then detained, followed by a vicious campaign to vilify them by claiming that weapons were found in their possession and that they were among the suspects in the killing of Moreh's SDPO last year.
"This is a blatant lie and the Kuki-Zo community will not take it lying down", it alleged.