Delhi, Dhaka yet to come out with any official statement on Meghen's status
Posers on Meghen cut across International boundaries
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2010: Various organisations have demanded the State and Central Government to make public the whereabouts of chairman of the banned outfit, UNLF, RK Meghen alias Sanayaima who is reported to have been arrested by a combined team of RAW and Bangladesh Police from near Dhaka on September 29 last.

In a joint statement, League for the Fifth International, (L5I)-London; Revolutionary Socialist Movement Pakistan (RS-M); Socialist Party, Sri Lanka (SPSL); The Revolution, (Youths Organisation), Nepal (Revo-Nepal); Workers' Power-India and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) have demanded the release of RK Meghen.

The joint statement pointed out that RK Meghen is the leader of the biggest Manipuri resistance party, the United National Liberation Front.

He was arrested in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh in September.

RK Meghen

The Bangladeshi police claim to have handed him over to the Indian authorities, but when a local newspaper enquired as to the whereabouts of Meghen, the Indian police claimed that he is not in their custody.

The 'disappearance' of Meghen means that it is impossible for any legal authorities to contact him.

It means that neither the Bangladeshi nor the Indian police have claimed responsibilities, his welfare or his legal status, the joint statement said.

The joint statement has also demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Meghen and his current whereabouts.

He should be granted political prisoner status and given full access to legal representation, the joint statement said, adding that workers of India and across South Asia should campaign for his release.

The joint statement was signed by Simon Hardy on behalf of League for the Fifth International (L5I) United Kingdom; Central Committee Member of Revolutionary Socialist Movement, Pakistan Khalid Mahemud, Central Committee Member of Socialist Party, Sri Lanka Rajitha Tharanga, Dev Chandra Shesthra of The Revolution (Youth Organization) Nepal, Central Executive member of Workers' Power India P.K.Singha and the president of Manipur Forward Youth Front, Manipur.

In an urgent appeal, Human Rights Initiative (HRI) has called upon all the International and other concerned bodies to exert pressure on New Delhi and Dhaka to respect the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, to deal the case accordingly and to guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of RK Meghen.

In its appeal, HRI said that the arrest of UNLF Chairman RK Meghen alias Sanayaima has been a public concern for weeks in Manipur.

The family has been insisting Indian Authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of Sanayaima and they have lodged a complaint to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights and National Human Rights Commission, India earlier.

Moreover civil societies and political parties in Manipur are demanding a lawful procedure of his arrest.

United Committee Manipur (UCM) in a press statement said that the people of Manipur would not remain silent if the Union Govt adds the rebel leader to the list of involuntary disappeared list.

UCM added that Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs must take the responsibility of tracing Meghen.

The social body said that it is violative of International law to detain a person without making it public in a lame excuse that he/she revolts against the nation.

There is no nation in the world which does not have a revolutionary movement, it added.

Condemning the stoic silence of Union Government regarding the arrest of Sanayaima, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has said that it would extend support to any mass movement regarding the issue.

Saying that Manipur is a 'conflict zone', AMSU contended that silence on Sanayaima's arrest shows India Government's insincerity in solving the 'conflict'.

As Manipur Government has to follow what Centre wishes, AMSU added, the State Government is unable to effectively trace the whereabouts of the rebel leader.

The students body also opined that Bangladeshi Government must make known of Sanayaima's arrest to the people of Manipur as he was rounded up on the country's soil.

Thoubal District United Women's Development Organisation, Ereipak Ennat Chanura Loinasilon (EECHAL), Nongchup Imphal Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (NIMPAL), Apunba Nupi Lup Lumlangdong (ANUL), Kontha Women's Social Reformation and Development Society and Meitei Union Sadar Hills, Manipur (MUHSM) also demanded for making public of Sanayaima's whereabouts.