Imphal, March 24, 2006: In another twist to the Tipaimukh mass rape controversy, the Kuki Students Organisation, Churachandpur, has decided not to allow further visit by any fact-finding team, including TIPS to probe anew the mass rape allegations.
The KSO said if any new fact-finding team is to be instituted, it should have the participation of the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission in the interest of a balanced and impartial investigation
Justifying its decision, the KSO, Churachandpur said the further examination and investigation of the case is unacceptable as this will be adding salt to injury and inflicting continuous misery to the women victims.
The investigation earlier carried out by the government and other credible organisations are sufficient to find out the facts, it said.
The UNLF’s statement that merely parading the rape victims cannot be taken as sufficient proof is misleading and wrong since ‘coming out of the closet’ for tribal girls requires great strength and truthfulness. This is enough proof, the organisation maintained.
The KSO also endorsed the stand taken by the ATSUM and Hmar Students Association in this connection.
The Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) has also joined in the condemnation of the alleged rape and molestation of 21 girls in Tipaimukh subdivision by underground cadres.
Regretting that the hill-valley solidarity in Manipur has been threatened by some irresponsible revolutionary cadres, the ZU said in a statement that it was the first ever incident in the history of Manipur when the revolutionary groups of the state had stooped so low as to commit such shameful blunder against their own sisters. Such a blemish cannot be erased easily, it said.
The ZU at the same time appreciated the announcement by the UNLF that it would cooperate with the fact-finding in the same mater with an assurance to give capital punishment to the persons found actually involved.
It said it stands firmly behind the victims and urged the authorities to redress the grievances of the victims.
Source: The Imphal Free Press
See also:
- Environmental Clearance of Tipaimukh Dam by MoEF (October 31st, 2008)
- Chakka bandh on Sep 18 against Tipaimukh dam (September 17th, 2008)
- 1 lakh Manipur villagers hit by bamboo flowering (September 2nd, 2008)
- Heavy security to be deployed on 99 km stretch of road to Tipaimukh dam (July 29th, 2008)
- Army launches Tipaimukh vigil (April 30th, 2008)