Sit-in against 'Custodial murder' continues
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 21 2018:
Villagers of P Khonomphai, Eshingthembi, Sinam Kom, Yumnam Khunou, Lairou Kom, Kongpal, Purum Khullen, Utonglok and Esheikha staged sit-in-protest at P Khonomphai ground against 'custodial killings' of Gurumaym Jiteswar Sharma, Thangjam Satish, Thounaojam Prem, RK Ranel and Phijam Naobi allegedly by 3 Corps Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (CISU) of Indian Army.
The protest organized by JAC, PAYDO & UCCAN demanded the authorities concerned to handover the mortal remains of G Jiteswar Sharma and Th Satish.
The sit-in demanded authorities concerned to set up independent investigating agency to investigate the alleged extra judicial executions.
The protesters also demanded withdrawal of AFSFA 1958 and stringent punishment of army official and personnel involved in the alleged extrajudicial killings.
Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association secy Edina Yaikhom asserted that the alleged extra judicial killings are due to the 'draconian' AFSPA.
"It is very hard to file case against mighty Indian Army," she said and continued that 'fortunately' Supreme Court of India had set up a Commission in 2013 after a Public Interest Litigation was filed by Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association.
"Now, Indian Army is trying to block and hindered the cases in the Supreme Court filed by the CBI," she said.
Vice president of AMUCO NC Modhuchandra alleged that the people of Manipur do not enjoy fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
"If we were not part of India, we would have been living freely and independently without fear of being murdered arid raped by the Indian Army," he said.
"As per 1972 Wild Life Protection Act and Cow Protection Act 2017, animals are protected.
Unfortunately the people of Manipur are being murdered behind colonial black laws," he said.
"Revolutions are accepted and acknowledged in every part of the world, unfortunately Indian Government doesn't recognize our revolution.
There was a time before annexation, a peaceful sovereign society that co-exists in harmony.
Sadly all these ended with the State merging with the Union of India and the subsequent implementation of 'draconian law' that targeted innocent lives," he alleged.