Racial killing at high political level, a plot to incite communal clash: AMUCO
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 17 2009:
Many civil society organisations, political parties and others have strongly condemned the shocking incident of triple murder.
All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), in a press release described the triple murder "a racial killing committed at high political level".
Tompok Likmabam, Secretary, Publicity, AMUCO, stated in a press release that the organisation strongly condemns the brutal murder of SDO of Kasom Khullen, Dr Thingnam Kishan, his driver Aribam Rajen Sharma and staff Yumnam Token by hacking them with a hoe and smashing their heads with a rock by some persons armed with sophisticated weapons near Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district after abducting them from Ukhrul a few days back.
SDO Kishan and his staff had been to Kasom Khullen prior to the visit of Works Minister K Ranjit there on February 14 and 15 .
AMUCO can't but feel that killing of the three officials while whereabouts of three other Tangkhul staff are said to be not known is an act which appears to be inviting a communal clash, the press release stated.
While knowing that three responsible government officials had been abducted, the government failed to trace and rescue the innocent men.
But after their death, it is reported that a high level meeting of the government is inquiring into the incident of killing.
This is tantamount to a conspiracy involving the government at high level, Tompok Likmabam stated.
He reminded that Dr Kishan was not just a SDO but also social activist who boldly worked for a better future of Manipur society.
Considering that if such a man lives long enough, it would be a hindrance to their agenda of breaking Manipur, some vested interests might have thought it better to eliminate him while being an egg.
Having abducted by some persons armed with guns, killing them using a hoe and rock is a racial killing committed at high political level and an invitation for a communal clash, AMUCO felt.
AMUCO expressed sharing grief with the families of the three victims and also the families of the three Tangkhul staff whose whereabouts are not known.
The Editorial members of Alternative Perspectives, a quarterly academic journal based in Imphal, have expressed deep shock on the sad demise of Dr Thingnam Kishan.
A condolence message issued by the Editorial members of the journal today stated that Dr Kishan was the former editor of the journal until he joined the Manipur Civil Services.
The members shared the grief and pain of his family members.
The untimely death of Dr Kishan is a great loss.
He was a prolific writer, academician and an astute visionary.
Majority of his writings reflected love for an egalitarian society and social harmony, the message maintained.
President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Gaikhangam has strongly condemned and expressed deep shock and sorrow over the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staff.
Gaikhangam, in a press release, expressed confidence that the government of Manipur would take up intensive actions to book those murderers under the existing laws.
He also appealed to the people of Manipur to remain calm and avoid communal sentiments.
In a joint statement, the leaders of HERICOUN, MAPI Council, DESAM, UPF, NIPCO and TIPS, Manipur strongly condemned the merciless killing of SDO of Kasom Khullen Sub-Division, Dr Thingnam Kishan, his two staff Yumnam Token and Aribam Rajen@Amuba.
A joint emergency meeting of the bodies held today at the office of HERICOUN took strong offence at the incident of triple murder.
The representatives of the CSOs expressed at the meeting that the killing was a conspiracy hatched between the DC Ukhrul and the murderers.
The responsibility for the brutal murder should be borne by DC Ukhrul, the state government and the Government of India, stated the press release jointly signed by the secretaries of the six CSOs.
They also appealed for safe release of some staff of the SDO whose whereabouts are reported to be not known.
The Tangkhul People's Organisation, Imphal (TPOI) has also condemned the brutal killing of SDO of Kasom Khullen and his two staff.
In a press release president of TPOI, Ng Hungyo stated that the TPOI condemns in the strongest term the abduction of Dr Thingnam Kishan along with his two staff from somewhere in Ukhrul district on February 13 and subsequent killing of the three.
Their lifeless bodies were recovered from near Taphou village in Senapati district today.
Such beastly act can not be endured by any civilised society in today's fast growing world.
Such act should be condemned by all, Hungyo stated and added that the TPOI shares the sorrow and pain of the families of the deceased.
He also appealed to all communities to maintain calm and restrain from creating any untoward incident in relation with this unfortunate incident.
He appealed for safe release of the other three persons who are still missing without harming them at the earliest.
Secretary of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur, Majabung Gangmei has also condemned the killing describing it as barbaric.
All Manipur MCS Officers' Association has condemned the incident and condoled the untimely demise of Thingnam Kishan, MCS, SDO/BDO, Kasom Khullen and two staff members of his office, namely, Rajen Sharma, driver and Y Token, Mandal.
An emergency meeting was held at 4 pm today in the premises of SSA office here and condoled the death of the SDO and his two staff.
As a mark of respect to the departed souls, two minutes' silence was observed.
The meeting also shared the grief of the bereaved families of the three victims.