Sit-in staged, families of arrested trio slam local MLA
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, November 11 2021:
Though it had suspended the proposed 24-hour total shutdown, Kangpokpi CSOs along with family members of the three persons arrested in connection with the B Gamnom killing staged sit-in protest on Thursday at Motbung model village demanding unconditional release of the trio at the earliest.
Speaking on the sidelines of the sit-in, KSO, Sadar Hills general secretary Thangtinlen Haokip lamented that despite repeated humble appeals and proving the innocence of the arrested trio the state government and authority concerned are yet to release them within the deadline set.
He continued that an understanding was arrived at during Wednesday's meeting with the government representatives at ADGP Clay Khongsai's office chamber and subsequently the proposed 24-hour total shutdown had been suspended.
However, as the trio continued to be detained tne sit-in protest was staged to demand their immediate release.
He also said that if the trio is not released at the earliest without any condition, the democratic form of agitation might turn ugly.
Meanwhile, Phoipi village authority member SL Pahen claimed that Seigoulun Singsit, one of the arrested trio, is a bonafide resident of Phoipi village and he has never been out of the village this year which is known by the village authority and the villagers.
He also asserted that the village authority and the villagers can provide evidence that he has no connection with the infamous B Gamnom killing.
Henkai Singsit, a family member of one of the arrested persons, reiterated innocence of all three and claimed that they are being incarcerated by Manipur police commandos and put in jail by framing fabricated charges.
"From the side of the family we want to make it clear that had the trio been involved in the infamous B Gamnom killing, we would not have organised this protest and pursued the matter as we are 100 percent sure that they were never a part of the B Gamnom killing," he said.
Henkai also said that the families would not have wasted resources, time and money pursuing justice had they been criminals and added that they do not have an iota of doubt that they are' not involved in the killing and added that they will go to B Gamnom and apologise to the families of those who were killed.
"As we know and have evidence that they (the trio) are innocent civilians who have no connection at all with the B Gamnom killing, we sold our properties and disposed of our goods to pursue the matter since we are from a very poor background family," he said.
He also asserted that even if they don't have enough resources and live hand to mouth, they will keep fighting for the sake of truth and justice.
Henkai further said that the families have decided that if the need arises they will knock on the doors of the Supreme Court and the President of India.
He then questioned the silence of the local MLA over the arrest of his innocent voters, stating that he has been silent for the past two weeks and this has become deafening because the trio is from his constituency and gave their votes to him.
"We voted for him and he is silent when his innocent voters are in trouble.
We are extremely unhappy with the way and manners of the local MLA," he added.
The protesters put up a large banner demanding justice for the arrested trio and their unconditional release.