Rejoinder to HTC and allies' statement on Moreh attack

31st August, 2018

The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) would like to issue 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.

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. Shri 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 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. 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?

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. HTC and allies should have rather lodged a complaint in the best interest of the victims and general public.

The fact that HTC and allies are taking advantage of the vulnerability of the victims only reflects their ill-intention to victimise the victims and being anti-justice, anti-truth, anti-peace and being a champion of crime and violence against innocent children and civilians. It also reflects of them being hand in glove with the KNO/KNA in crime and violence.

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.

What authorities do the HTC and allies have to say that “the chapter is closed” in reference to the July 13 Moreh terror attack while the matter is still in court and justice has not been delivered yet? This is clearly an obstruction of justice and should be viewed as contempt of Court. The heavy firing and bombing that lasted for about 45 minutes in densely populated residential areas in the heart of Moreh town is clearly an act of terror and war on the State and the whole community.

In what is clearly an indication of threatening TSA rather than an appeal to withdraw the PIL, the joint bodies stated that TSA would be held responsible if any untoward incidents arise between the two groups [KNA and UKLF] due to the case.

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.

As the PIL has nothing to do with the peace agreement between the KNA and UKLF or HTC and allies, there cannot be any reason to blame TSA, the only organisation to have taken up the case of July 13 Moreh attack for justice. But, if any untoward incidents happen to any of the TSA leaders, KNO/KNA and the joint bodies shall be held solely responsible for it.

Meanwhile, we also once again urge the state government to nab the proprietors and deliver justice to the victims at the earliest time. Had the government and law enforcement agencies had done their job to bring the perpetrators to justice, there would have been no need for TSA to take the matter to court.

Sd/-
Secretary Information & Publicity
Thadou Students’ Association
General Headquarters