KANGPOKPI, December 12: The Kuki Students’ Organization GHQ wants the State government and the Assam Rifles to stick to the deadline and fulfill their assurance within the stipulated time in connection with the alleged assault of KSO Chandel president and two other village chiefs at Khudengthabi AR check post on December 5.
The student body had suspended its agitation by giving 5-days deadline for the arrest of the guilty personnel as per the resolution arrived in the joint meeting held on December 8 at KSO Sadar Hills office with representatives of the State government and the Assam Rifles.
Seiboi Haokip, general secretary, KSO GHQ claimed that in the joint meeting on December 8 at Kangpokpi the State government had assured to arrest and charge sheet Maj Manish Sharma, his JCO, and other involved personnel within the 5-day deadline while the Assam Rifles representatives had also assured to cooperate with the investigation procedure and accept any legal action taken as per law.
“We would accept nothing less than the arrest of the Major and his JCO to stand trial in a court of law”, Seiboi Haokip asserted before adding that the government must make sure that the guilty AR personnel do not go scot free and they should be prosecuted by all means necessary as per the law of the land.
He continued that the insensitivity and brutality of the Assam Rifles towards the people of the State has become intolerable and many people have been subjected to wanton harassment, human rights violation, and fake encounters in the name of counter insurgency operations.
He also said that during the past many years the Assam Rifles have escaped prosecution and punishment by taking refuge in AFSPA, 1958 and as a result many victims have been denied justice while warning that this time it would be a futile exercise for the AR to hide behind the protection AFSPA.
“All these years the KSO has regarded that AFSPA is for the safety and protection of the people. But the Assam Rifles have been employing it as an instrument of fear, torture, and human rights abuse. If the Assam Rifles continue to take advantage of AFSPA unjustly, then the KSO will be compelled to rethink its position on AFSPA”, Seiboi added.
The student body also alleged the Assam Rifles of promoting corruption and racketeering at Khudengthabi check post and warns to expose the corruption taking place at this check post after its investigation is over.
Seiboi Haokip alleged that many people are aware of the dirty dealings taking place behind the Khudengthabi Check Post while smugglers, black marketers, and dubious businessmen are allegedly hand in glove with the AR officers posted at this check post.
He further alleged that contrabands and illegal goods are trafficked right under the nose of the Assam Rifles everyday at this check post while the officers at the check post exacted illegal taxes from the smugglers and businessmen depending on the goods.
The student body also warns to resume its agitation for the alleged assault and attempted murder of the President of KSO Chandel and two village chiefs, if no concrete action which would lead to arrest and prosecution of assailants is taken within the stipulated deadline.