Bodies consigned to holy flamesHundreds join in bidding tearful farewell and paying last respects to SDO Dr Kishan and two fellow staff

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 23 2009: After witnessing social unrest for several days, normalcy is limping back in Imphal following an eight hours relaxation of the curfew imposed in the Imphal East and West districts with no untoward incident reported.

Besides this, the family members and the Joint Action Committee against the brutal murder of the SDO and his two subordinates accepted the bodies and finally performed the final rites on Monday amidst stringent security measures in and around Imphal.

Mourners prepare to take home the three dead bodies in a procession at RIMS morgue

Meanwhile, adhering to their demands the JAC informed that they would continue with their agitation until it is fulfilled, which includes criminal proceeding against the District Commissioner (DC) of Ukhrul, submission of the state commission reports by February 27 and legal action against the guilty NSCN-IM cadres.

Showing their solidarity over the killing of the SDO Kasom Khullen and his two officials, thousands turned out to mourn and participated in the last rites.

Prior to the last rites the bodies of the officials were taken to their respective residences for floral tribute marching through a tight security measures arrangement to prevent any violent incident.

During the homeward procession participants and well wishers displayed banner and placards which read, "Every single drop of their blood is a wake up call", "Stop peace talk with terrorists", "Let us defend our life, freedom and land", "Who is next? Enough is enough", etc.

The three deceased were then cremated at the Gandhi Ghat, Uripok in Imphal West.

Meanwhile, a press conference of the JAC later in the evening placed their course of agitation scheduled from February 24 to 27 which includes a two day mass sit in protest on February 24 and 25, a torch rally on 26 and a public meeting on the 27 at Nagamapal Kanjabi Leirak, Imphal West.

The JAC also asserted that if the government fails to fulfill their demands by February 27, further course of action would be decided during the public meeting scheduled on 27.While alleging the security forces for creating confusions late Sunday night by firing numbers of tear gas shells and rubber bullets even in the absence of people, the JAC, while strongly condemning the act, urged the concerned member of legislative assembly (MLA) take up appropriate steps in finding the security personnel and punishing them.

The JAC also asserted that it would ask the MLA to resign should he fails in this mission.