Protest against Ratan killing
Singjamei bazaar closed down, public rally held, road blocked
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 22, 2012:
Singjamei bazaar wore a deserted look today as protestors shut down shops in the area and resorted to blocking of roads that lead to Chingamakha decrying killing of M Ratan in the bomb attack near the gate of INC candidate and Speaker I Hemochandra at Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai yesterday.
The post mortem of M Ratan was carried out today at RIMS and the body was later handed over to the family at around 12:30 pm.
The body was brought along with a procession from RIMS upto Singjamei Yumnam Leikai.
From there the body was taken to his home in Chingamakha.
People in hundreds came out and joined the rally.
Speaker I Hemochandra led the protest rally which proceeded upto Singjamei parking and finally assembled at Ibudhou Luwangpokpa Lampak, Chingamakha where a public meeting was convened.
A two minutes silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
The rallyists used placards and festoons with slogans which read "We want peace", "Will threats win the hearts of the people?", "We condemn the use of bombs and guns in a democratic election", "Bomb and Guns may kill but will never win the hearts of the people", "We are the workers of I Hemochandra", "What is the fault of M Ratan, worker of I Hemochandra", "Give us freedom in choosing our own candidates", etc.
The public meeting held at Chingamakha unanimously formed a JAC named, JAC Against the Bomb Blast Attack and Subsequent Killing of Maisnam Ratan Singh.
It also took a number of resolutions which include urging the government to provide a means for future livelihood to the family members of the deceased and the injured persons, to appeal all concerned to desist from hurling and exploding bombs in public places, the Congress should find out ways and means to stop unwanted incidents from happening through peaceful negotiations with all concerned and also to submit a memorandum to the government appealing to put into action the demands of the JAC at the earliest.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister O Ibobi, Speaker I Hemochandra, MPCC President Gaikhangam and Minister N Biren visited the family of the deceased and shared their grief and sorrows.
No promise was made to the families regarding any sort of compensation whatsoever from the government's side.
However he personally assured of some help to the families in consultation with the Speaker.
A team of the ECI also visited the family of the deceased in the evening today.
The intending candidate of Trinamool Congress in Singjamei A/C Yumnam Khemchand who is the arch rival of Congress candidate I Hemochandra also visited the family of the deceased yesterday late in the evening and shared their sorrow.