JCILPS agrees to claim Robinhood's mortal remains ; JCILPS sets rider for next round of talk
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 10 2015: Mortal remains of Sapam Robinhood would be claimed and the last rites will be performed during the next couple of days.

Briefing media persons at the Chief Minister's office complex this afternoon after a marathon meeting with the State Government which dragged on for three hours and a half, JCILPS convenor-in-charge Komdram Ratan said that they talked with the State Government following some positive steps taken up by the Government such as suspension of all the police personnel involved in the Killing of Sapam Robinhood.

The killing of Sapam Robinhood, whose body is still lying at JNIMS morgue, was the main agenda of today's meeting.

Extension of relief measures or assistance to more than 200 people who were injured in police action in the course of the popular movement for enforcement of ILPS and punishment of the police officer who manhandled girl students during a protest agitation at new Secretariat complex were some other agenda of the meeting.

A JCILPS leader addressing the media

JCILPS members demanded a copy of the Bill which was submitted to the State Government by the drafting committee a few days back.

But the State Government refused to give a copy on the ground that the Bill has not been finalized yet and it is yet to elicit comments of legal experts on the draft Bill.

Nonetheless, JCILPS opened the option of discussing the Bill together with the State Government and legal experts.

The negotiation which took place between the two sides were more about the last ritual of Sapam Robinhood and organising a condolence service at the State level with mass participation.

The State Government assured not to impose any restriction.

The time and venue of the last ritual condolence service will be decided soon, Ratan said.

He informed that the Government assured to take up action against the police officer who manhandled girl students at Secretariat complex Today's meeting between the State Government and JCILPS was the first of its kind and JCILPS representatives asked the Government to give a concrete assurance that the new Bill would incorporate all the five points suggested by JCILPS earlier and the same will be passed before August 15 .

Pointing out many of the ILPS supporters and leaders are presently lodged in judicial custody, they demanded the State Government to release all of them without any condition within two days.

In response, State Government assured to release maximum number of ILPS supporters and leaders tomorrow or the next day, he said The next round of meeting with the State Government has been fixed at 3 pm of August 12 .

However if the State Government fails to release the arrested ILPS protesters and leaders within the next two days and if the Government fails to give a concrete assurance to pass the Bill on or before August 15, JCILPS will not attend the next round of meeting, he said.

The Government has so far assured to incorporate maximum points out of the five 5 points submitted by JCILPS in the new Bill, said Ratan adding this is certainly a positive development.

Holding dialogue with the Government does not mean that the ongoing agitation would be suspended, Ratan said while appealing to all the people to carry on different forms of agitation for enforcement of ILPS in the State in a democratic manner.

The Government was asked to give a copy of the Bill so that they can discuss among themselves and hold an open dialogue on the Bill together with experts within a short period of time .

When asked by reporters whether the body of Sapam Robinhood would be claimed before the Bill is passed, he replied that they will talk with the family and JAC members on the matter.

Notably, the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Sapam Robinhood had earlier announced that they would not claim the body until and unless a new Bill similar to ILP is passed.

The meeting was attended by 14 members of JCILPS including convenor Ibotombi Khuman, convenor-in-charge Kh Ratan, and women wing convenor Nganbi Devi.

The State Government was represented by Chief Minister O Ibobi, Home Minister Gaikhangam, all the Cabinet Ministers and drafting committee members Dr Ng Bijoy and RK Anand.