'Kidnapping' of Alice Kamei : Dharnas held across Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 03 2013: Demanding immediate and safe release of 14-year-old Alice Kamei, sit-in-protests were staged at different Zeliangrong villages of Imphal East and Imphal West districts today.

Volunteers of women societies of these villages staged demonstrations at Sawombung, Chingmeirong and Gaipuinam near Khuman Lampak and Keishamthong Kabui village.

Alice Kamei d/o Punshijao Kamei of Chingphu village, Bishnupur has been missing since March 10 from the boarding of Grace Reach Academy, Hiyanglam with her senior mate Sanahanbi Khaidem.

At Chingmeirong, the protesters held placards that read as 'Set children free from exploitation', Stop recruiting child soldiers', 'Respect human rights' and 'Less than 18 years are categorised as minors' .

Same slogans were used at other demonstration sites as well.

Demanding release of young girl

It may be mentioned that in a joint press release, All Zeliangrong Students' Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur had already appealed the concerned group to free Alice safely.

The Zeliangrong bodies had also clamped a 48-hour total blockade on National Highways with effect from the midnight of March 27 .

According to the Zeliangrong bodies, Alice is now in the custody of RPF/PLA.

Meanwhile, in another joint press release issued today, the three bodies said that democratic agitations would continue at other districts as well.

The bodies also appealed the right thinking individuals and organisations to extend support to the agitation.

The press release said that there are universally accepted laws that do not permit to award rigorous punishment to minors even if they commit any serious crime.

Appealing all concerned not to violate child rights the Zeliangrong bodies called on to ensure children receiving education without any interference so that they may become responsible citizens.

Saying that spreading rumours on the incident could mislead people, the three bodies warned that rumour mongers must be responsible for any eventuality.

Maintaining that some people claiming to be the leaders of some organisations are allegedly misinforming the general public regarding the incident, the three bodies expressed suspicion that whether these people were also involved in the recruitment of child soldiers for armed groups.

On the otherhand, Centre for Organisation and Research (CORE) has demanded RPF/PLA that a clarification be made regarding missing of the two girls at the earliest.

The organisation also urged the State Government to ensure safe release of the two girl students.