PREPAK blames ZRA for partymen deaths

Imphal, June 04: The underground People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, PREPAK, has held the Zomi Revolutionary Army, ZRA, responsible for the cold-blooded killing of six of its cadres inside Churachandpur district on June 1 last. The military affairs committee of the PREPAK, in a statement issued here, charged that the PREPAK cadres were slain by the ZRA despite their identities being made known and demanded an explanation from the Zomi outfit. It identified its slain Red Army cadres as EL Bethel Hmar alias Tomba Hmar, 28, of Nungthulen, Tipaimukh, Laishram Khogendro, alias Thumba, 23, of Tera Khamnam Bazar, Purailaptapka Ningthem, 22, ofMeino Leirak, Irom Bhogen, alias Open of Sagolmang Pukhao, Nongmaithem Lal alias Ningjaba, 25, of Komlakhong and Yumkhibam Chiglensana 22, of Uyumpok. Tomba Hmar held the rank of sergeant major, Khogendro that of sergeant, and Ningthem that of lance corporal. In connection with their deaths, the PREPAK military affairs committee demanded a prompt clarification from the ZRA why the cadres were killed though they were known to be members of the PREPAK. It also questioned whether the ZRA considered the PREPAK its enemy, and asked whether it stood for destruction of the unity of Manipur. It demanded to know how ethnic conflict can benefit anyone, and questioned whether the ZRA stood for the Paites alone. It stressed that the PREPAK believed sincerely in the ideals of equality and peaceful coexistence of all communities, and is not guided by a narrow-minded communal viewpoint. It also noted that the PREPAK had not taken any sides in either the Naga-Kuki or Kuki-Paite clashes. The PREPAK is an organization engaged in the struggle to overthrow Indian colonial rule, it reiterated. Paying tribute to the slain cadres, a separate statement issued by the publicity and propaganda department of the outfit said the party shared the sorrow of the families of the deceased. The statement said all six had worked actively to strengthen the bonds existing among the communities settled in Manipur and were dedicated patriots.