HC reprieve for family members on Apr 13
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 11 2011:
Gauhati High Court has given permission to the family members, relatives and friends of nine UG activists who were killed by security forces in offering floral tributes at their memorial constructed atop Cheiraoching, at Thangmeiband on April 13 .
A single bench of the High Court had issued an order in this connection on April 6 .
The court order followed a writ petition filed jointly by family members of the nine slain UG activists.
Talking to mediapersons in connection with the Court order at Singjamei today, Advocate N Surendrajit, who took up the case on behalf of the petitioners, said that the nine people were killed by Army at Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982 .
In remembrance of the nine people, their family members constructed a memorial complex atop the Cheiraoching and started offering floral tributes since 1990 .
However, in 1996, the District Magistrate imposed prohibitory order to prevent offering floral tribute.
Nonetheless, in 1997, the family members approached the Court, which in turned granted permission on offering floral tributes to the departed soul.
For this year too, the Court has given the permission for offering floral tributes at the memorial complex on April 13, Advocate Surendrajit said, adding that the copies of the Court order have also been forwarded to Commissioner (Home), Govt of Manipur, District Magistrate of Imphal West and OC of Lamphel Police Station.
Meanwhile, a joint statement issued by the family members has asserted that many people have lost their lives in the effort to bring about a change for the better in Manipuri society, politically, economically and socially.
So, it is the duty for each and every individual in the society to pay their respect and homage to the departed souls.
Even if they were awarded punishment for their alleged crimes during their lifetime, their crimes have been forgiven after they were no more.
So, along with construction of a memorial complex at Cheiraoching, floral tributes are being offered to the departed souls every year on April 13 since 1990.But the Govt had attempted to create disturbance now and then.
Moreover, there have been instances where the memorial complex were found vandalised and set aflame.
People who came for offering Meira in the evening were also being targeted.
All these should be stopped, the joint statement said.
It also appealed to all concerned for relaxing restrictions imposed on carrying photographs by the family members upto the memorial complex as well as to all the people and organisation for participating in offering floral tributes to the departed souls.