PREPAK rejects ZRA claim

Imphal, June 10: The underground People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, PREPAK has rejected the claim by the Zomi Revolutionary Army, ZRA, that the six PREPAK members slain in the June 1 encounter had opened fire first on the cadres of the ZRA and that they had been killed without any knowledge of their identities. The PREPAK, in a statement issued here, reiterated that the six slain cadres had been shot at close range, and their bodies bore evidence that they had been beaten up before being shot. It said the PREPAK’s version of events had been verified from a spot enquiry and from the accounts of the injured survivors. The PREPAK is not in the habit of making fabrications, the statement said. The outfit at the same time welcomed the ZRA’s statement that it considered the PREPAL as brothers and understood its cause. It however regretted that the PREPAK’s statement regarding the ethnic clashes had been misconstrued by the ZRA. Reiterating that the PREPAK had not taken sides in the conflicts, it pointed out that instead it had worked for the relief and rehabilitation of those affected, and for bringing about an end to the clashes. Rejecting the ZRA charge that the PREPAK was trying to subjugate the Hmar community, the statement said the charge was demeaning of the Hmar community. It stressed that not only the Hmars, but people of many other communities were actively taking part in the revolutionary struggle. It also rejected the accusation that tribals were being harassed by various outfits, maintaining that the MPLF’s creed was peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and equality. It stressed that it would be impossible to secure an independent homeland for any one community in Manipur.