MLAs get a taste of people's ire at Senapati
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 29: Infuriated with what they termed as the indifferent stand of the Government over the gruesome murder of Hrinii Hubert and Muheni Martin a large number of people stormed the Senapati mini-Secretariat complex today.

The enraged crowd picketed the mini-Secretariat complex prohibiting six MLAs and the State DGP, who visited Senapati district Hqs today following the discovery of skeletal remains of the abducted kids, from leaving the place.

They also blocked roads.

Infuriated over the failure to nab the killers, women folk gherao the Spt PS and inset mother of the one of the boys, the MLAs and DGP

The State representatives who visited the district Hqs included MLAs Bijoy Koijam, DD Thaisi, Ranjit, N Biren, K Raina and M Thorii and DGP Y Joykumar.

Earlier in the day at around 10 am, a huge crowd assembled at the Senapati district Hqs where they formed a human chain and shouted various slogans condemning the brutal murder of the two kids.

They shouted slogans such as "We want truth", "Mothers want truth", "Book the culprits", "We condemn the State Government", "We condemn underground organisations", "Don't conceal child murderers", "Hand over the murderers to the people" etc.

Asserting that there is no security for children and women in Senapati district, the crowd demanded that women and children be safeguarded.

They also questioned the security forces and the State intelligence agencies what they have been doing all these three months.

They also accused the State Government of not showing any concern for the people.

Coming to the mini-Secretariat complex, the people pounded the gate demanding justice.

All the while, the numerous security personnel maintained restraint and watched in silence the people giving vent to their fury.

On the other side, a lengthy meeting was held at the mini-Secretariat among the MLAs, DGP, Core Committee chairman Solomon Veino, SDWA president A Elizabeth, NPO president Patkick Alen, SDSA president S Isaac and SKAWA vice-president Dalle.

The meeting arrived at an agreement on five points which included investigation into the murder under the supervision of the DGP within 10 days in accordance to the demand of the Core Committee and weekly interaction between Police Hqs and Core Committee in this regard.

Payment of ex-gratia to the bereaved families as per the guidelines of the State Government, to claim the corpses of the two kids and the assurance by the State Government representatives to avert such criminal activities in Senapati were the other points on which the agreement was signed.

However, the agreement was rejected by the people.

They were steadfast in their demand to hand over the killers to the people.

The people maintained that they cannot exchange the priceless lives of the two kids with some amount of money.

The enraged crowd reminded the Core Committee chairman Solomon Veino, "We have an agreement with one Government but we are yet to strike an agreement with another 'government'".

Observing that the gruesome murder of the innocent kids is not the issue of Senapati district alone but for the whole State, they shouted that such heinous crimes should never be allowed to be committed in any parts of Manipur.

Today's protest against the shocking murder was also participated by representatives of United Women's Front, All Manipur Anti-Drug Association and Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup.

Citing many cases of child murder and snatching of ear rings, Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup president Ibethoi observed that State Government has completely failed to provide any security to women and children.

The angry people strongly condemned the State Government as well as the underground organisations.

They questioned why some militant groups should shield criminals involved in the murder case.

The enraged people also questioned the morale of the militants in offering sanctuary to criminals Even though the State representatives were initially stopped from leaving the district Hqs, the incensed people were later pacified by the public leaders after which a public meeting was organised at the Senapati Public ground.

In the meantime, the MLAs took an alternative route for some distance and left the place.