IMPHAL, April 13 NNN: The Kuki Students Organization, General Headquarters (KSO GHQ) has fervently appealed the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front/Peoples’ Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) to safely release an ‘under-age school girl’, Alice Kamei of Grace Reach Academy from the outfit’s custody at the earliest possible time.
Mentionably, RPF/PLA says Alice Kamei is 16 years old and had joined the outfit on her own volition while the Zeliangrong organisations rejected the former’s version and accused the militant outfit of kidnapping the school girl to force her to join the group. The Zeliangrong organisations also said that Alice Kamei is only 14 years old.
On Sarturday, the KSO-GHQ said, “Whatsoever the reason may be of the girl being in the RPF custody is not justifiable, as she is a minor who still depends on her parent in every walk of life especially in deciding her future career in life. Even if she had joined the RPF/PLA on her own volition as claimed by the militant outfit, we appeal not to take advantage of the little girl’s ignorance. Instead, use their wisdom and show their generosity of being one of the oldest and signatory groups in Geneva Convention on August 6, 1997 who pledged to abide and uphold the international law which prohibits child soldier”.
The KSO also condemned the lackadaisical attitude and inaction of the state government in bringing back the minor school girl which has been missing since March 10. “If such episode had happened to someone from a high profile family, a celebrity or the major community of the state, things would have gone otherwise as to what we have witnessed last Christmas. Therefore, it will be the best for everyone if the state took serious initiative before things are blown out of proportion,” the apex Kuki students’ body said.
“To show solidarity to our fellow student Alice Kamei, KSO pledged to support the total bandh along the National Highway 2 and NH-37 starting from April 21 and also support all forms of democratic protest and activities initiated by All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) and Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) in restoring a normal life of the little girl,” KSO-GHQ vice president Mangcha Baite stated.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kso-appeals-to-rpf/
