IMPHAL, May 3: The parents of 14-year- old Alice Kamei who is missing since March 14 last year has appealed the outfit who allegedly abducted Alice to release her safely and has urged the state government to take actions for rescuing her and to stop the intimidation by the central police force and the state police forces in the name of searching her.
A press conference was called jointly by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights, Human Right Alert and United NGOs Mission Manipur at Manipur Press Club today in this regard and in which the family members of Alice Kamei attended.
At the outset, Chakritombi Kamei, 42 father of Alice Kamei of Eshok Tera Pokpi Phingthu reminded everyone present about the fact that his daughter has been missing March 14, 2013 along with her friend from the Grace Reach Academy boarding situated at Hiyanglam which is under Kakching Police Station.
Showing eagerness for their safe release and for them to join the mainstream after being misguided at a tender age, he said that his daughter wouldn’t have joined any outfit on her own accord.
He said army personnel threatened him after being reported that she was with his family which was untrue at their Maibam Lokpa Ching camp on the intervenient night of April 6, adding that the state police forces also questioned him on May 31 about Alice.
Continuing that if her missing daughter wants to return or the outfit wants to release her, she will never be able to do so, he said that instead of rescuing her, they are searching to arrest her which is condemnable.
Her mother Sundari Kamei lodged a complaint on the same day of missing to Kakching PS and an FIR 43(03) 0/£ KG/PS U/S 406IPC was also registered but without any positive results, he added.
Manipur Alliance for Child Rights convenor Keisham Pradipkumar told the media that an unofficial report has disclosed the recruitment of many child soldiers in the state and various child soldiers by outfits which are under SoO.
He alleged that in Churachandpur district 100 out of 120 children are recruited as child soldiers by different outfits as per the report.
The government hasn’t taken any steps to bring the child soldiers and women soldiers in the mainstream because they shouldn’t be considered as criminals but are victims of an armed conflict and even if arrested should be brought to the mainstream, he said.