Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 17:
Striking a tough posture of continuing relentless agitation till justice prevails, representatives of 33 women and social bodies spearheading the protest to denounce custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi gave a clarion call to the people to launch movement without any fear or intimidation.
The bodies also strongly condemned the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for allegedly attempting to mislead the people by trying to cover up administrative lapses and inability to control security force personnel.
Reluctance of the Chief Minister to repeal Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 from Manipur inspite of frequent cases of excesses committed by the security force vividly explains that the Congress led Government's only concern is safety of its Ministers by compromising security of the general public.
Rather than endorse and act upon the reported comment of MP Dr Meinya at the floor of Parliament describing conduct of security force as State terrorism Ibobi's inability to take appropriate action speaks volume of his insincerity to mitigate the grievances of the people, they charged.
Demanding that culprits involved in the killing of Manorama and Saichung village Pastor Jamkholet Haokip should be prosecuted without further delay, the bodies said merely ordering for judicial probe without necessary amendment of clauses could not yield positive result.
Substantiating on futility of judicial enquiry sans appropriate amendment the bodies pointed to inc6n-clusive investigation regarding the February 20, 1997 killing of one Kangujam Ojit of Khongman Okram Chuthek by security force personnel.
It also highlighted the directive of Supreme Court to probe into the indiscriminate firing and killing of seven civilians at Kohima town in July 5, 1995 by personnel of Rashtriya Rifles following a tyre burst.
Only after the apex Court approved for investigation on the Kohima killing on the basis of 7 schedule of probe procedure against Central security force did the probe reached a decisive stage, explained the body.
Therefore, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh's assurance for judicial probe without perusing through details and necessary consent and even without official approval of 3 Corps Commander Lt General Dhaljit Singh is only an eyewash to divert public attention, they said.
Only lifting of draconian laws from Manipur could guarantee security of the civilians, they reiterated, while putting pressures for taking up immediate steps for repealing Armed Forces Special Power Act.