HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 18: In the midst of rising tensions, JI Kathar, the President of All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC), on Wednesday clarified his recent statement, which sparked a backlash from the Karbi Students Association (KSA).
Kathar’s comments come in response to the blowback received from KSA-Inglongpho, who had visited the APHLC leader’s residence to discuss his criticism of the KSA.
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“I was saying that those taking the name of KSA and indulging in kidnapping are maligning the image of all KSAs. We have not used the word students. We only said ‘Kidnapping Association,” said Kathar while speaking at a press conference held at his residence.
“I was saying that those taking the name of KSA and indulge in kidnapping are maligning the image of all KSAs. We have not used the word students. We only said ‘Kidnapping Association.’ The word student used after kidnapping and before Association was by the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang. Then, it is the CEM that is defaming the KSA,” he added.
Kathar was referring to the alleged incident where some persons that went to the Howraghat resident of organising secretary, APHLC, Kursing Timung on the evening of October 9 in a cavalcade of 50 vehicles.
“The KSA has not kidnapped Timung. The KSA members brought Timung to Diphu to settle the matter. Timung apologised to the KSA and the matter was settled,” said secretary, external affairs, KSA-Inglongpho.
“The APHLC President, Kathar changed the word of KSA to ‘Kidnapper Students Association’. He has replaced the word ‘Karbi’ with ‘kidnappers’. Terming the KSA as Kidnappers Students Association is unfortunate and we condemn it. For defaming the KSA and bringing down the morale of the student community, Kathar should apologise to the KSA. He (Kathar) is an enemy to the Karbi society as he has tried to ignite hatred and division in the community,” he added.
It may be mentioned that on October 17, KSA- Thomson Rongpi faction burned the effigy of Kathar for terming the KSA as ‘Kidnapper Association” in Diphu.
