SIPHRO

Imphal, March 23, 2006: Of the 21 Hmar women, who were allegedly gang-raped by cadres of the banned UNLF and KCP, four of them have given their testimonies to a team of human rights activists.

The human rights activists took the testimonies of the alleged rape victims after some NGOs alleged that 21 Hmar women were “gang raped” by UNLF and KCP cadres at Lungthulien village under Parbung police station on January 16.

The team called the Civil Society Fact Finding Team on Internally Displaced People from Tipaimukh sub-division comprising representatives of Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), Rongmei Lu Phuam (RLP), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Human Rights Alert (HRA) and Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) conducted a six day study at Mizoram and the affected areas of Churachandpur from March 5.

On March 7, “our women team members recorded statements from four alleged rape victims at Sakawrdai relief camp” Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of HRA and co-convener of the team told reporters at a press briefing today.

Over 500 Hmar villagers from Churachandpur are currently taking shelter at Sakawrdai camp, Loitongbam said.

The chairman of the refugee advisory board said some other displaced persons are putting up at their relatives and friends’ houses at Mizoram.

On the next day Lungthulian village authority chairman Ralkapthuom stated that cadres of the non-tribal underground outfits besides thrashing over 400 villagers also gang-raped ten women, he said adding that another report given to the team said 21 women including minors were raped.

Parbung police station registered 10 FIR cases on the alleged mass rape and the officer-in-charge of the station T Zuala Hmar also recorded statements from five supposedly rape victims, Loitongbam added.

During its stint the team also visited an Aizawl based NGO Centre for Peace and Development and the latter’s chief functionary Angela Ralte informed that some alleged rape victims were given counseling by the centre.

The fact finding team also met civil officials and army officers at the affected areas in Churachandpur.

Loitongbam said Mizoram Government and some civil society organizations are providing basic requirements to the Hmar displaced persons.

KK Jha, Director Relief Operations for North East under the Ministry of Home Affairs also held a meeting with the displaced persons along with representatives of Mizoram Government on March 7.

Aram Panmei, convener of the team representing RLP and NPMHR said a comprehensive report of the team would be prepared very soon.

UNLF had already stated that an internal inquiry conducted by it had found that the rape allegation leveled against it was false and it was made to tarnish the true image of the outfit without verifying the facts of the story.

The outfit had suggested that an independent body may probe the matter and if any of its cadres are found guilty then capital punishment would be given.

KCP too had stated that the rape allegation was concocted and malicious.

It also pledged to support investigation on the matter.

Source: The Sangai Express