Untold story of a fake encounter victim's family
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Khongbantabam Nomita

Imphal, October 17 2012: Recalling the "alleged killing" of her husband Thokchaom Romenkumar on last October 1 midnight by suspected Manipur Police commandos, Thiyam (o) Memcha Devi of Irom Maijao Mamang Makha Leikai has stated that with security personnel targeting innocent and helpless civilians, hundreds of women are becoming widows in the state.

Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao about the circumstances that led to the lost of her husband, Memcha said that around 4-5 armed personnel in plain dresses forcefully dragged her husband from home on October 1 midnight.

At that time, there were no light and only two members of the family, her husband and their son Luwangngamba were at home as others were at a nearby village Kakyai to watch a drama show.

12-year old Luwangngamba, who was sleeping with his father, tried to stop the armed personnel from taking his father but being a young boy he could do nothing much.

When Memcha and her daughter, Priyabati returned home at around 1.30 am, her son told them about the incident and they went out to find Romenkumar.

However, the next morning, the news came that her husband was killed in an encounter the previous night.

"Such incident of killing innocent people is happening only in the poor and helpless families.

No security personnel dare to do such things in any influential families", Memcha noted.

After she lost her husband, who was the sole breadearner of the family, Memcha has been taking over the burden of looking after her family.

To feed her small children and keep the kitchen fire burning, Memcha informed that today she even took up any work at lesser wages.

But as the meager income is not sufficient to meet even the bare necessities of the family, her 17-year-old daughter Priyabati had to quit further study.

But 12-year old son is studying in class IV in Irom Meijao Government High School.

Stating that her husband was a daily wage earner, Memcha appealed to the state government to arrest those who involved in the incident and terminate them from their respective posts.

Meanwhile, the JAC formed in connection with the case of Romenkumar submitted a six-point memorandum to Home Minister Gaikhangam on Wednesday.

Condemning the killing, JAC too demanded action against the involved security personnel and served an ultimatum to the State Government for fulfilling the demand within October 25 .

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