Controversy over Ibobi's killing
Wangjing erupts in protest, bazar closed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 24: Wangjing today erupted in protest against the killing of Laishram Ibobi claimed to be an innocent person along with staging Wakat Meepham and holding a public meeting at Wangjing Bazar today even as the representatives of the JAC formed in connection with killing were tear-gassed by security personnel while proceeding to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister at Lilong bridge.

Most of the shops and other business establishments at Khwairamband market, the main commercial hub of the capital city also remained shut for the day today in protest against the killing.

Originally hailing from Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai but staying at Khumbong Bazar where he ran a jewellery shop, Ibobi was shot dead by Imphal West Police Commandos at a spot between Heinoubok and Moirang Hanuba under Lamphel PS on January 22 night.

Ibobi is said to be the general secretary of All Manipur Shops and Establishments Employees' Association.

Closed bazar at Imphal complements the dharna staged at Wangjing against the killing of L Ibobi

Ibobi was youngest of the six siblings and he left behind three young kids, the eldest, a son of 8 years old, the second, a daughter of 5 years and the youngest son an infant of not even one year old.

During the protest demonstration attended by many people attired in customary mourning dresses, placards with slogans decrying the attitude of the Police Commandos were seen.

'Commandos of moral-less force', 'Law enforcers should not indulge in act of terrorism', 'Commandos are killers of innocent civilians', 'Commandos responsible for killing L Ibobi should be punished', 'Commando force should be abolish', 'Stop killing innocent people for money', etc are some of the slogans inscribed on the placards used during the demonstration.

Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of the Wakat Meepham, mother of Ibobi, Mema said 'Killing of my son who had grown up doing odd jobs for livelihood like carrying loads, driving rickshaw and working a salesman in other people's shops, in a such an inhuman manner by the security personnel is really despicable'.

Demanding to know why her son had been killed, heartbroken mother how the three kids left behind by her slain son would live on without their father. Along those who spoke at the public meeting held along with the Wakat Meepham, executive director of Human Rights Alert Loitongbam Babloo observed that till date none of the security personnel involved in killing of innocent persons in the State had been ever persecuted.

'In order to meet the challenges of the atrocities being committed by the security forces, there is the need to stand up and raise our voice together so that the Government of India and the rest of the world can sit up and take notice of the situation prevailing in Manipur', he said, adding that one would speak up for us.

After the public meeting, representatives of JAC formed in connection with killing were coming to lodge their protest and submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister when they were stopped and dispersed by the security personnel along with firing tear gas canisters near Lilong bridge later during the day.

The representatives of the JAC comprising mostly of men were coming together in two buses.

As they reached the Lilong bridge, Singjamei Police personnel stopped them herded toward the Lilong Bazar side.

However, the protestors resorted road block, thus compelling the Thoubal Police personnel to rushed in at around 3 pm and dispersed them with firing tear gases.

Meanwhile, while condemning the killing of the general secretary of All Manipur Shops and Establishments Employees' Association L Ibobi, All India Trade Union Congress (Manipur State Committee) has decried the attitude of the State Govt machineries in arresting the general secretary of the Union L Sotinkumar and secretary Th Prajesh and Association president S Chandramani while taking out a peace march to request closure of the shops in the Khwairamband market area today.

The All India Students' Federation (AISF) Manipur State Council has also strongly condemned the killing of Laishram Ibobi Singh of Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai.

The students organisation, in a press release sought for a judicial inquiry into the matter and asked the Government to give fitting punishment to the involved cops with the knowledge of the public.

Govt inks truce

With the pressure mounting, the State Govt has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the JAC formed against the killing of L Ibobi Singh.

As per the MoU the Govt has agreed to institute a high level inquiry to probe the killing of L Ibobi within one week; if the killing was not justified then ex-gratia payable under Govt norms would be paid; action to be taken up against any police personnel found guilty; the Govt to sympatheticaly consider providing possible assistance to the bereaved family.