DIMAPUR, MARCH 15 (MExN): About 400 persons from 7 villages belonging to the Kuki community were abducted reportedly by the United Liberation Front of Manipur (UNLF) from Dingti area, situated near the Myanmar border. The villagers, who had raised a cry over the excesses committed on them by the insurgents, are reportedly being detained at Samjata, a Burmese village.
The villagers were herded away in trucks in the early hours of March 12 by about 50-60 militants of the UNLF, sources informed. The abduction is widely understood to be the UNLF’s retaliation for the border Kuki villages protesting use of landmines in Kuki areas. A student leader informed The Morung Express that militants have planted landmines and explosive devices ‘freely’ in the Kuki areas bordering Myanmar. The UNLF might be feeling “shame” because of the protest over the use of landmines in Kuki areas, a student leader of the Kuki Students’ Organization said.
Mention may be made here that a mass rally, under the aegis of the Kuki Students Organization (KSO), General Headquarters, was held on March 5, 2007 at Parliament street, New Delhi to draw the attention of the Indian government and the national media on the plight faced by the Kuki people at the hands of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants in Chandel district of Manipur, with the use of landmines being the highlight.
Student leaders said they are still yet to be clear on the whereabouts of the abducted villagers. Deputy Commissioner of Moreh and SDPO has been informed of the development and an action is expected to be launched soon.
The administration is also reported to have communicated with the Myanmar authorities to act for the safety and release of the villagers. Also, enraged by the action, the KSO has condemned the move and its members are expected to meet Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on March 16 or the day after that.
Public and organizations of Moreh town closed market establishments yesterday in protest against the abduction. Also, a rally has been called by Kuki civil society March 16 to demand immediate intervention of both the Indian government and Myanmar government to intervene.
