The forum appealed to chief minister N Biren Singh to be a leader for all and to not fall into the trap of opportunistic politics and not encourage communal divide with insensitive and intolerant actions and inactions
TFM Kangpokpi Representative
Dismayed at the arrest of Thanglenpao Haokip over his comments on the Facebook page of chief minister N Biren Singh, the Kuki Reformation Forum (KReF) said it condemned the arrest in the strongest term.
Janghaolun, the KeRF media and publicity secretary, said that Thanglenpao Haokip was reportedly hauled up by the Patsoi police on August 14 around 4 pm. He was detained there for the whole night and produced before a magistrate at Imphal Police Station next day on August 15, it added.
Thanglenpao Haokip was charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and promoting enmity between groups on grounds, and intentional insult to provoke breach of peace and conducing public tranquility. Though he was later released on bail, the case against Thanglenpao Haokip is deplorable without exception, he added.
Janghaolun further said the KReF had earlier filed a report at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Imphal, against six individuals promoting communal divide in the state with abusive and derogatory remarks. However, much to the disappointment of the KReF, no actions have so far been taken by the concerned authorities, that the recent arrest of Thanlenpao Haokip thus raises a serious concern, he added.
Questioning whether the law is truly equal for all or it is simply arbitration by few vested interests, he said that KReFregretfully notes that the law and order agencies, and other concerned authorities of the state will be responsible for any communal divide or any breach of peace and communal harmony between the various communities in the state for implicitly encouraging communal divide with its bigoted and chauvinistic approaches as opposed to the nature of the offices they hold.
The KeRF also made a general appeal to the people of Manipur not fall into the trap of narrow divisive politics and the religious and communal, emotional manipulation of people for mere political gains by some people with vested interests.
The forum also appealed to chief minister N Biren Singh to be a leader for all and to not fall into the trap of opportunistic politics and not to encourage communal divide with insensitive and intolerant actions and inactions.