Kuki militants will listen to Shah : Ibobi

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 30: Former Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi has asserted that the Kuki militants who have been keeping two innocent citizens as hostages will listen to Union Home Minister Amit Shah if he intervenes.
Speaking at the 128th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Irabot held at MDU Hall today, Ibobi said  that Kuki militants, whether they are under SoO agreement or not, will listen to Amit Shah if he tells them that such acts of keeping citizens as hostages cannot be tolerated.
He said that the most fitting tribute to Lamyanba Irabot would be translating his idea of Manipur into reality.    
There must be a solution : Dr Nara
Speaking at a birth anniversary celebration of Jananeta Irabot held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Irabot Celebration Committee president and former Minister Dr M Nara  stated that there must be a way to bring a solution to the protracted crisis just as there were causes for the crisis.  
Noting that the Manipuri society is now drifting without any direction in the absence of any leadership, Dr Nara said that it’s time to put Lamyanba Irabot’s thoughts into action.
“If we study and put Irabot’s thoughts into action, we can definitely find a solution to the current crisis,” he said.
Earlier, a life size portrait of Lamyanba Irabot was brought from Irabot Bhavan to Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen amidst a procession.
Later different awards were presented to 18 eminent personalities in different categories including Advocate Khaidem Mani, senior journalist A Mobi, environment and climate activist Licypriya Kangujam and human rights activist Rakesh Meihoubam.
The awards carry Rs 20,000, a shawl and a citation each.
Creation of Kuki occupied territory must be stopped: Mani
Former Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission and senior Advocate Khaidem Mani has asserted that all CSOs and the people must work together to stop foreign terrorists and Kuki militants from creating Kuki occupied territory or land in Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at his Loklaobung residence today, Khaidem Mani remarked that the way Kuki militants have been holding the two youths captive and demanding transfer of 20-20 Kuki prisoners from Sajiwa Jail to Churachandpur and release of Kukiland advocate Mark T Haokip in exchange of the two hostages is an undeniable act of terrorism.
The crisis is no longer a communal conflict. It is a deliberate aggression aimed at suppressing Meiteis and disintegrating Manipur, he said.
It is an act of war driven by an intention to create Kuki occupied territory within Manipur, Khaidem Mani said.
He asserted that the Government should do everything to rescue the two hostages but it should not yield to the Kuki militants’ pressure.
He said that the people of Manipur too should enjoy the same rights as entitled to citizens of other parts of the country.
He also appealed to all concerned to stop making allegations and counter allegations amongst the Meiteis.
It’s time to show the Government of India that the people of Manipur are here to protect the State’s integrity and the sanctity of its territorial boundary, Khaidem Mani added.
Yambem Laba appeals for safe release
Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) former member Yambem Laba has appealed to the Kuki militants who have been holding two Meitei youths captive to set them free at the earliest.
If the Kuki militants eliminate the two youths, it will be taken as an act of terrorism, he said.
The Kuki movement is being supported by the European Union, the USA and Israel. However, if the Kuki militants kill the two hostages, the European Union, the USA and Israel will snap all ties with them, Yambem Laba said.
If the Kuki militants are demanding release of Mark T Haokip in exchange of the two innocent hostages, they need to understand that Mark Haokip is in the custody of the NIA, Government of India, not in the custody of the State Government, he said.