Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13 2010:
For the second consecutive day, a joint meeting of the four localities of Khurai was held at the ground of Netaji Memorial Club, Khurai Tinsid Road in connection with the allegation that five members of the Sanjit JAC have taken money from the Government to broker peace over the public agitation of July 23 Khwairamband Bazar firing incident.
In the meeting held with four elderly residents of Khurai Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai, Khurai Sajor Leikai, Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai and Khurai Laishram Leikai namely T Babu, L Ibocha, Kh Ibobi and Th Ibohalbi as presidium members, mother of late Sanjit Taratombi also announced that the ex-gratia amount given by the Government would not be accepted at all.
Addressing the meeting, Taratombi clarified that she had only given permission to get the money as the Government had told her not to spread word about the ex-gratia amount.
She also did not know the exact amount of the ex-gratia as the same had not been disclosed by the Government.
"I would never like to exchange money with my son.
So the money given by the Government would be handed over to the JAC," she declared.
Among the presidium members of the meeting, Kh Ibobi observed that the agreement signed with the Govt was not at the individual level of theJAC but under the aegis of the Apunba Lup, which is more informed about the issue.
He said that whether some of the JAC members have taken the money from the Government or the Government handed over the money on humanitarian ground, whatever that have happened is over.
Now, in consideration of suffering going through by the bereaved family following repeated accusation over the said ex-gratia amount, everyone should try to control their anger and ensure proper solemnisation of the rites and rituals due to a departed soul.
As JAC member Leirangton started addressing the meeting saying that it is easier said than done and any step should be taken up with proper understanding of the issue, one of the women attending the meeting shouted at Leirangton to stop speaking saying that everyone knows what 'you people' have been doing, there was commotion and the meeting ended abruptly.
As pre-emptive measures of controlling untoward incidents, adequate personnel of Imphal East District police have also been deployed in the meeting area.