Lamka, March 13: Refuting the March 8 statement of UNLF that appeared in some local papers, Hmar People's Convention (HPC-D) in a press release issued today maintained that the safety of Hmar people is its utmost concern and wondered, "How will the HPC (D), standing for the people, force the villagers (of Tipaimukh Area) to flee to Mizoram leaving their homesteads ?" as charged in the UNLF statement.

Instead, "it was the atrocities of the UNLF and KCP that forced the villagers to flee," HPC (D) charged.

The outfit also accused UNLF of falsely accusing the HPC (D) of cooking up the rape and torture stories to tarnish the UNLF image at the local and international level.

"These rape and torture accusations neither arose from the HPC (D) nor did it instigate it.

It arose from the true testimonies of the victims who had borne the brunt of the UNLF and KCP atrocities and carnal desires," claimed the release signed by one Lalpuithang Commander, Churachandpur.

As a group, the UNLF and KCP must have the courage to admit to the follies committed by its cadres instead of putting the blame on others, said the release even as it condemned the alleged incidents committed by the said militant outfits to the Hmar people.

In another statement concerning the Hmars of Tipaimukh, Churachandpur District Students Union (CDSU) urged the State Government, officers, philanthropic organizations, all student bodies and capable individuals to extend their helping hands in rehabilitating the displaced Hmars, who are brothers and sisters of Manipur without any reservation.

Acknowledging the contribution of local MLAs and the District Administration in enabling their visit to refugees in Mizoram and the various philanthropic organizations of Mizoram and their government as well in attending the refugees, the CDSU release claimed such helping hands not only connotes philanthropic but enhanced brotherhood and fraternity within the family.

The student body besides condemning what it term as "the harassment of Hmar people and the raping of beautiful girls" felt such discriminatory act have threatened the peaceful co-existence in Manipur and observed, under such circumstances the hill people may be compelled to find out ways and means for their safety.

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