Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 06:
Exerting pressure on the Centre for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur and giving fitting punishment to those security personnel involved in killing of Thangjam Manorama and Siachang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai, a delegation of Kuki Mothers� Association, Manipur led by its present Rose Mangsi Haokip submitted a memorandum to visiting Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil at Raj Bhavan here yesterday.
Later talking to The Sangai Express, Rose Mangsi informed that the Union Minister has been presented with true accounts and facts of the excesses committed by security personnel on innocent people especially the womenfolk since imposition of AFSPA in Manipur.
In view of the blatant abuse of the Act by security personnel, the Union Minister has been pressurized for taking up steps to revoke the Act at the earliest possible, Rose Mangsi said.
She further informed that the attention of the Union Minister has also been drawn to the need for setting up an inquiry commission to probe into the circumstances leading to the death of Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai in the hands of security forces.
When the Union Minister inquired why the death of Jamkholet had not generated so much protest unlike the Manorama�s case, Rose Mangsi said that he apprised the Central Minister that the villagers have been threatened by the security personnel who killed Jamkholet of dire consequences if they raised their voice.
For solving the problem of unemployment being faced by educated youths in the State, the memorandum submitted by the Kuki Mothers� Association emphasized on taking up employment generation schemes, Mangsi said, adding that the Union Minister had also given his assurance to do the needful in this regard.
Memo submitted: All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) has submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister highlighting the excesses of the security personnel on innocent civilians in the name of counter insurgency.
The memorandum recounted killing of nine villagers including two Meitei chilly traders at Tabanglong village in Tamenglong district by Army personnel posted at Tamenglong HQs on December 28, 2000, killing of Saichang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai on July 8, custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama and cold blooded killing of ailing youth Jamkholien Chongloi front of his own family members at Khongsai Veng on August 31.AIYF memo: All India Youth Federation, Manipur State Council had also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister yesterday demanding lifting of AFSPA from Manipur, punishment of AR personnel involved in the killing of Thangjam Manorama and evacuation of Assam Rifles battalions from Kangla Fort among others.
Charter of demands: SR Institute of Manipur Studies, Tera Bazar yesterday forwarded a charter of demands to Union Home Minister who had come to State to take stock of the prevailing situation in Manipur following mass agitation for complete withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The charter of demands include withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur, handing over Kangla Fort to the people of Manipur, removal of Restricted Area Permit System to allow foreign tourists/visitors to come to Manipur, introduction of Inner Line Permit, establishment of a �Manipur Regiment to solve unemployment problem as well as a Central University of Science and Technology or an IIT to prevent money drain from Manipur, Central Sports School to hone the sporting talents of the youngsters, a Central MAIBA College and Hospital where alternative and indigenous system of medicine could be taught.