Imphal: Human Rights Alert director Babloo Loitongbam has clarified that he and his family were threatened by a group of 50 men on the morning of September 23 at his house, following a press conference by Meitei Leepun, a Meitei/Meetei group active in Imphal, headed by M Pramot Singh on September 22.
In a public statement made available by the prominent Meitei human rights activist based in Manipur’s capital Imphal, Babloo said that the 50 men warned that his family would face consequences if he appeared in public, accusing him of wrongdoing.
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Babloo Loitongbam refuted the claims, stating that he has no financial ties with Kuki militants and has been a human rights defender for over 30 years. He also addressed the allegations surrounding Mya Kyay Mon, stating she is a Burmese-Norwegian national, not affiliated with any militant group, and that he had only provided legal aid through Human Rights Alert.
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It may be recalled that the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2023 raised alarm over threats to Babloo Loitangbam by some Meitei organisations/groups amid the Manipur unrest.
According to the UN Human Rights, organisations/groups such as Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tengol threatened activist Loitangbam, who himself is a Meitei, for “speaking out on inter-communal violence since May” in the present ethnic violence in Manipur.
“We are alarmed by threats to human rights defender Babloo Loitangbam by Meitei Leepun & Arambai Tengol groups in #Manipur for speaking out on inter-communal violence since May. We urged authorities to protect him, his family & home, & hold perpetrators accountable,” the UN Human Right had said.
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