SIPHRO

Robert Lalmalsawm

Tuithraphai, August 6, 2007: The Hmar Student’s Association (HSA) has called upon the government of Manipur to make public the report of the Rajkhowa Commission that had conducted an inquiry into the alleged rape of 27 Hmar tribal women– some under age– by cadres of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in January 2006 at Lungthulien village.

“To ensure justice to the rape victims the State government of Manipur should make the report of the Rajkhowa Judicial Enquiry Commission public without any further delay,” said the HSA in a press statement released by its general secretary Mr Lalthlamuana Hmar.

It may be mentioned that in January 2006, 27 Hmar tribal women in the remote village of Lungthulien were allegedly raped by militants belonging to the UNLF which the group, later, denied its involvement.

Coming down heavily against the apathy of the state government, the HSA said any attempt to “deliberately obstruct justice” is an infringement on the rights of the indigenous tribals in Manipur. The HSA will vehemently oppose any such move, it cautioned the government.

Though the state government has instituted the Rajkhowa Commission in March 2006 to investigate the rape and molestation case of Hmar women in Lungthulien village coming under Parbung police jurisdiction the culprit continued to evade justice.

“The National Commission for Women (NCW) already made its report public and truth prevails in the report,” the statement claimed adding that despite the NCW report no compensation has been announced either by the government of Manipur or by the government at the Centre.

The HSA which had pursued the rape case also expressed its shock at the persistent denial of involvement by the UNLF. Refuting claims made by the UNLF about the involvement of any of its cadres the student body scoffs at what it called an attempt by “immature organisation” to shed their credibility and defend the serious crime of its undisciplined cadres.

Stating that the UNLF and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) may try to cover their crime behind some so-called human right groups of Manipur, the student body said it will unravel the truth as these organisations has committed “serious crime” against the tribals in Churachandpur district.

Taking strong objection to the UNLF’s suggestion to rope in International Red Cross Society (IRCS) to probe the matter, Mr Lalthlamuana Hmar stated in the release that there are enough Indian human rights group to look into the matter.

“The UNLF should be aware that Indian human right groups are as credible as IRCS or any other International human rights agencies, leaving aside the United Nations (UN) agencies,” the statement said.

The Hmar student body also expressed concerns over the “repeated crime committed against the minorities” in Manipur. It alleged that torture, force labour, landmines, and forced displacement by the militant group has caused untold miseries to the life of simple tribal villagers.

The HSA also accused one member of Human Rights Alert (HRA), which it claimed is now “representing and defending the perpetrators” and indulging in withholding justice to the rape victims.

Despite, what it claims “efforts to hide the truth” by certain groups the student body pledged that it “will do all the necessary to defend and protect the interest” of the rape victims.

Besides, the students also appealed to the “perpetrators to immediately stop planting landmines, forced displacement of villagers and violating human rights in Chandel district,” adding that only respecting human rights can “save Manipur”.

Source: NowPublic.com