IT News
Imphal, Sept. 1,
The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) in a rejoinder to the joint statement of Hill Tribal Council (HTC), Moreh; Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Moreh; Moreh Youth Club (MYC) and Kuki Women Union and Human Rights (KWHR) on 29th August, 2018 regarding the July 13 Moreh terror attack stated that the TSA is seeking justice over the July 13 Moreh attack without any partiality or hatred to any individuals over the terror attacked and it does not reflect to any partiality over any individuals while we raise the matter at the High Court of Manipur.
“Thongminlun Haokip, president of TSA Moreh Block and his family were attacked gruesomely on the night by the Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA) because of his involvement with TSA as claimed by the Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA) in their first press release”, the statement said.
It further added that the peace accord signed between the KNA and UKLF on July 23 was not related to the incident of firing and bombing of the residence of Thongminlun Haokip. TSA or Thongminlun also had nothing to do with the said peace accord or peace commission. The KNO//KNA in their several press releases had clearly stated that the attack was carried out by them and hence there is no need for clarification by the joint bodies for and on behalf of the KNO/KNA.
Even if there was a misunderstanding between the two underground groups, the KNA and UKLF, as claimed by the joint statement, the KNO/KNA or UKLF or any other groups or individuals do not have the right to harm or murder innocent children and civilians, the statement added and said that if at all the mission of the peace commission was for the settlement of July 13 terror attack, why were the victims of the attack not involved in the peace banquet or their names mentioned in the agreement? If at all the joint bodies were for peace and justice, why have they not sought justice in the incident instead of bullying the victims and TSA who stand for justice? – the TSA questioned.
Although Thongminlun Haokip has not made any formal complaint regarding the incident of the attempted murder on him and his family by the KNO/KNA, a suo-motto case was taken up by the Moreh Police with an FIR No. 51(7)2018 MRH-PS u/s 307/400/34 IPC, 25(I-C) A, Act & 2/4 Expl Subs Act. Victims of such a serious and traumatic crime, who have not yet even recovered from trauma and who face death threats from the perpetrators, should not even be expected to lodge a complaint against the perpetrators.
“In spite of understanding reached between UKLF and KNO/KNA, the law should take its own course. The so-called peace agreement between the KNA and UKLF, that too nothing to do with the victims, cannot be an excuse to absolve the perpetrators of the heinous crime. In seeking justice, TSA filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at Manipur High Court on August 16. This PIL has nothing to do with HTC and allies, but why are they up in arms against the PIL rather than speaking up for justice? It needs explaining as to what motivates the joint bodies to be against the PIL and TSA”, the statement further said.
The TSA said the appeal to withdraw the PIL is an indication threat to TSA.
“TSA cannot and will not withdraw the PIL, however if HTC and its allies have any objection to the PIL, then they have the right to object to it through proper and legal channel, not through the tactics of intimidating, bullying or threatening”, it said.
It further said that the PIL has nothing to do with the peace agreement between the KNA and UKLF or HTC and allies.
