Imphal, January 15: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) stated that it would like to extend its apology and solidarity to the Hmar community and the organizations that have lodged a complaint with regard to the pending report of the Civil Society Fact-Finding Team in the press that was also "subsequently forwarded to us by the complainants".

The NPMHR (South Sector) while issuing this statement said that "it is unethical and against the conscience of any independent human rights organizations to downplay the grievous issues of the innocent civilians with whom such organizations claimed to identify with.

It is a state of affair which NPMHR cannot comply with for which we acknowledge our failure.

It is in this light that NPMHR is compelled to come out with a report as part of the team".

"A fact-finding team as 'Civil Society Team on Internally Displaced People from Tipaimukh Sub-Divisions' headed by Ms Aram Pamei (NPMHR and Rongmei Lu Phuam) as the Convenor and Babloo Loitongbam (Human Rights Alert) and Joseph R.Hmar as the Co-Convenors (Hmar Students' Association) with Wahengbam Joy Kumar (Human Rights Law Network), and Elizabeth Hrangchal (interpreter) from March 5 to 10, 2006 investigated the alleged incident and confirmed the facts.

The team interviewed the displaced people, rape victims, village authorities and concerned local organizations and cross-sections of the community as well as organizations based in Aizawl, Mizoram.

They also met the CO, PBS Lamba of 13 Dogra Regiment and Captain Viplove at the army camp office.

While the report of the team is being stalled, the following facts are based on the report filed by Ms Aram Pamei", said the NPMHR (South Sector) statement issued by its convenor Phamhring Sengul.

NPMHR strongly condemns "the heinous crime perpetrated by non-tribal armed groups on the villagers of Parbung and Lungthulien in Tipaimukh area ." It alleged that the cadres of the said armed resistance groups in January 2006 raped 21 women and tortured 402 persons (petition filed by the Village elders of Lungthulien to the FFM Team on their visit); paraded and restricted people from going to work.

"They fired indiscriminately, forbade people from praying, and looted properties.

It is disgraceful that such groups fighting for justice and liberation of the people would indulge in such dehumanizing acts," said NPMHR.

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