Relay hunger strike demands mortal remains
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 03 2023: Demanding recovery of the mortal remains of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi and also awarding of exemplary punishment to all the culprits involved in the brutal murder, a relay hunger strike was launched today Takyel Kolom Leikai, Imphal West.

Altogether 12 women launched the relay hunger strike under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Killing of two Students- Phijam Hemanjit and Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam at 6 am today.

Speaking to the media, Manileima Wahengbam, one of the women on hunger strike, said that their team would continue the fast till 12 noon before they are replaced by another team of 12 women who would carry on the hunger strike till 6 pm.

From 6 pm, 20 men would carry on the fast till 6 am tomorrow.

Thus, the relay hunger strike will go on indefinitely until the JAC's demands are fulfilled, Manileima said.

She said that 'statelessness' has become the order of the day in Manipur.

The Government and the relevant authorities are doing very little regarding the people's demand to hand over the mortal remains of the two young students to their bereaved families, she said.

"In case the Government chooses to remain silent to the JAC's demand, we may be compelled to take the extreme step of self-immolation, apart from fasting unto death," she cautioned.

On the other hand, students, teachers and staff of Manipur University staged a protest demonstration against the brutal cold blooded murder of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit in front of the university's main gate today.

The protest demonstration was jointly organised by Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU), Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staffs' Association (MUSA) .

Speaking to the media by the sideline of the protest demonstration, MUTA president Irom Gambhir called upon every one to work collectively in order to bring peace and normalcy in the State.

Noting that the student organisations have started articulating a single voice, he underscored the urgent need for different organisations and CSOs to come together and work collectively toward restoring peace and normalcy in the State.

The protracted violence has severely affected the education sector thereby causing immense loss to the student community.

The Government of India as well as the State Government must do everything to restore peace in the State at the earliest, Gambhir said.

"Let each and every one of us contribute toward restoration of peace in Manipur by participating in peaceful protest movements", he said.

MUSU president Thokchom Sonamani urged the authorities concerned to establish the circumstances and all other details regarding the cold blooded murder of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit without any further delay.

He also asked the Government who authorised the security forces to unleash brute force and inflict grievous injuries upon students.

There is a Supreme Court order which says that no lethal weapon or heavy force should be utilised against protesting students.

According to the apex Court's order, Security forces may use water cannon at the most, Sonamani said.

But the security forces not only used mock bombs and tear gas shells but also pellet guns against unarmed students during the recent protests, he said before adding that pellet guns have been already banned in Kashmir.

Saying that the Assam Rifles camp located inside MU campus has been causing mental harassment to students, the MUSU president demanded withdrawal of the AR camp.

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