Illegal Detention of Chairman, UNLF, Mr. Rajkumar Sanayaima alias Meghen
- HRI (Human Rights Initiative) -

Saturday, October 23, 2010

URGENT APPEAL/India
Case: Illegal Detention of Chairman, United National Liberation Front (UNLF),
Mr. Rajkumar Sanayaima alias Meghen
REF: UA 31- 23/10/2010 IMP-HRI

The arrest of the Chairman of United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Mr. Rajkumar Sanayaima alias Meghen, 64 years of age has been a public concern for weeks in Manipur. [The UNLF is a powerful armed opposition group in India's north-east formed in 1964 to fight for Manipur's liberation from India, the group is estimated to have 5,000 armed fighters. It is a group which has managed to retain territory in some areas of Manipur's borders with Burma, despite repeated military offensives by the Indian army. In 2005 the party proposed plebiscite to New Delhi for resolving the conflict.]

According to the source from BBC news on 13 October, Sanayaima was arrested by Bangladesh authority personnel early this October. After the arrest the prominent separatist leader was flown out of Bangladesh in an Indian aircraft.

In a press release by Kh. Pambei, the Vice Chairman – UNLF (on 16 October claimed that Sanayaima was kidnapped by a joint team of India's Intelligent (RAW) and Bangladesh intelligence on 29 September around 12.30 pm when he was travelling in his vehicle, No. Dhaka Metro G-17-0716 in Lalmatia area under Mohammadpur Police Station near Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The family has been insisting Indian Authorities to ascertain whereabouts of Sanayaima. They sent complaint letters to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights and National Human Rights Commission, India earlier. Also civil societies and political parties in Manipur are demanding a lawful procedure of his arrest.

Indian Home Secretary, G.K. Pillai made some self contradictory statements when he came down in Manipur for a four day visit from 18 to 21 October. First he said at his arrival at the airport in Imphal on 18, Sanayaima was arrested by the Dhaka authority, second, only few hours later at a conference he expressed he had no knowledge about the arrest, third he stated Sanayaima might have been arrested but under a different name (other then Sanayaima alias Meghen). On 20, Pillai said, it seemed that Sanayaima was arrested so New Delhi would look into the matter and talk with Dhaka.

Observing the situation, there is a strong possibility of arbitrary detention of UNLF leader by New Delhi and Dhaka despite there is no any official information come out from the both either so far.

Therefore regarding, the International and other Concerned Bodies kindly appeal New Delhi and Dhaka to respect the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law and dealing the case accordingly, and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Sanayaima. Please write to the Authorities in New Delhi and Dhaka;

i. Mr. Shri Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister’s Office, Room number 152, South Block, New Delhi
Fax: + 91 11 2301 9545, + 91 11 2301 6857.
Email: [email protected]

ii. Ms. Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Prime Minister's Office
Old Sangsad Bhaban
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215
E-mail: [email protected]

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This PR was webcasted on October 12, 2010.

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