Imphal, February 05 2010: Condemning the murder of RK Ratanmala of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai and demanding punishment of murderers, all the shops in Khurai Lamlong Market area today downed their shutters and staged a protest demonstration.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the protest demonstration organised under the aegis of Khurai Lamlong Keithel Phambi Apunba Nupi Lup, president of the Lup Athokpam Apabi observed that no mother would be able to bear and see their daughters being murdered brutally.

So to ensure such incident of brutal murders are not repeated, the murderers should be given capital punishment.

Apabi further observed that though similar instances of murdering women have occurred in the past, police have not been able to arrest and punish the culprits.

However, in the case of RK Ratanmala, a suspect is said to have surrendered to the police.

So the police should not try to protect the killer this time but initiate necessary measures to award befitting punishment so as to dissuade other people from committing similar crime in the future.

During the protest demonstration, placards inscribed with wordings like 'Stop crime and violence against women', 'Manipur Government take up necessary steps for protection of women', 'Let us join hands for the rights of women', 'Women are mothers, respect your mothers', etc were used.

On the other hand, Ningol Yaipha Lamjing Apunba Kangleipak, has exerted pressure on the Government to arrest and punish those who are involved in the brutal murder of Angom Chanbi and her daughter Meneka after being raped at Phayeng.

The women's body has also announced its decision of extending support to any agitation launched by the JAC formed in protest of the incident if the Government fails to identity and arrest the murderers.