Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 28:
Taking serious note of the ongoing mass agitation in Manipur demanding lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur in the wake of brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama by jawans of 17 Assam Rifles in their custody, World Manipuri Organisation (WMO) has demanded immediate and impartial judicial enquiry by a sitting Judge of Gauhati High Court into the case.
In a memorandum submitted to President of India, WMO president L Baba Chand Singha emphasized on the need of a impartial judicial enquiry into the circumstances leading into the death of the 32-year old girl after she had been arrested by the personnel of 17 Assam Rifles from her own house on the intervening nights of July 10 and 11.The memorandum, the copy of which have also been reportedly send to Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Defence Minister, Governor of Manipur as well as to National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi further demanded removal of Assam Rifles battalion from the historic Kangla Fort as well as for withdrawal of the draconian Act, not just from Manipur but also from entire North Eastern Region.
The organization has also strongly condemned killing of innocent children among others in a bomb attack by the militants during an Independence Day celebration held at Dhemaji College Playground on August 15.Alleging laxity and failure on the parts of the Government, both the State and Central, to protect the life of the innocent people.
the Organization further demanded for conducting a judicial inquiry into the incident.
Lup condemns: Strongly condemning detention of agitation leaders under the National Security Act, Kanglei Chanura Chaokhat Lamching Lup, Hiyanglam demanded unconditional release of the arrested persons at the earliest.
The Lup also denounced the State Government's attempt in collusion with the Centre to portray the ongoing movement as anti-national uprising.
While the people of Manipur having been enduring severe form of physical and mental harassment due to excess power granted to the security personnel operating in Manipur opposition of the people to the draconian acts through democratic form of agitations should not be interpreted as anti-national.
It is an undeniable fact that several innocent persons have fallen prey to cruelty of security personnel, many women raped and even male member of the society subjected to molestation and other form of inhuman treatment for the last many years while no guilty security men could be punished by the law due to AFSPA, highlighted the Lup.
The custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi and burial of Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai after slaying him are clear illustration of the security excesses that had subsequently led to the people to raise their voice against the conduct of the security force personnel, said the women body.
Charging the SPF Government especially the Chief Minister for misinforming the Centre by linking the ongoing movement as being carried out at the instigation of underground organization, the Lup said such an attempt to wrongly present the people's agitation to protect human rights reflects the inconsiderate and self centred agenda of the State authorities by compromising the interest of the masses.