Imphal, January 27: The Hmar Peoples' Convention, Democratic (HPC-D) has strongly refuted the claim of the UNLF which appeared in various Imphal based newspapers with regard to Churachandpur's Parbung and Tipaimukh subdivisions situation.

The HPC-D information and publicity secretary R Pulamte said that few cadres of the HPC-D had been killed by the UNLF at Damdiei in Parbung subdivision.

R Pulamte said that the HPC-D cadres were killed for opposing the UNLF who were advancing in Tipaimukh area.

The HPC-D stated that the UNLF then finally occupied Parbung and Tipaimukh since January-6, 2006 and started terrorising the innocent people.

It alleged that the UNLF used the Hmar villagers as human shields when the Indian army advanced towards the Parbung and the Tipaimukh areas.

Harrasments like beating, physical torture etc have been meted out to the Hmar villagers by the UNLF, alleged the HPC-D.The HPC-D said that it was not against any other revolutionary group.

It further stated that the Barak river region had been the main source of income and means of live-lihood for the people of Tipaimukh "but since UNLF's occupation of the region, heavy taxes on all items/commodities pertaining to the Hmars without the consent of the HPC-D had paved way for the deteriorating relationship between the UNLF and the Hmar outfit," stated the HPC-D.The HPC-D then stated that it was on January-8, 2006 that the Hmar villagers of Parbung were beaten black and blue by the UNLF cadres.

Unable to bear the tortures the Hmars villagers fled to Churachandpur town, Mizoram, Shillong and elswhere, said the HPC-D statement.

It said the 800 Hmars are now taking refuge in Mizoram and another 200 Hmars have recently fled to that State.

The HPC-D further said that relief materials for those refugees have been dispatched by Hmar Students Association of the joint headquarters and also that the Manipur based Hmar National Union had also donated relief fund to the refugee camps in Mizoram.

It then stated that the HPC-D had nothing to do with the Indian Army as alleged by the UNLF.

"Our main aim is in Mizoram, Cachar and NC Hills and for the Hmar Autonomous District within the framework of the Indian Constitution", said the HPC-D.It stated that the Hmars' patience had been taken for granted and hence interpreted as a sign of weakness by other communities.

"Let us hope that the HPC-D and the UNLF will sort it out their diferences as soon as possible to ensure the peaceful co-existence based on the policy of Live and Let Live", said, however, the HPC-D.

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