RIMS massacre recalled
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2018: Stating that the leaders and Government of a State should protect their people from any form of oppression and atrocity, noted political analyst Leihaothabam Sharatchandra claimed that it is questionable whether the people of the State have the power to govern themselves.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the observation of the 23rd RIMS Firing Memorial Day held at Phayeng Sabal Leikai community hall, Imphal West today.

The event organized by the observation committee in collaboration with The Chingu Panganba Social Welfare Association, Phayeng Sabal Leikai, Imphal West District was also attended by Konsam Langamba Meitei, ex-president UCM, Thounaojam Subon Singh, president, Auto and Taxi Owners Association, RIMS, Angom (o) Samasakhi Devi, Pradhan, Phayeng GP and Ningthoujam Rasantakumar Singh, president, Chingu Panganba Social Welfare Association, Phayeng Sabal Leikai, Imphal West, as the guests of honour and president respectively.

Sharatchandra, who is also an ex-president of AMWJU, further said that leaders in a Government should be considered as puppets if they fail to protect their land and people.

Pointing out that even the freedom fighters of India's freedom struggle movement and those who suffered during the emergency period, have been identified and given compensation, Sharatchandra asked whether the families of the RIMS firing incident/massacre have been given adequate compensation.

UCM's ex-president Langamba described RIMS massacre as one of the most brutal incidents in the history of Manipur after it merged with the Indian Union.

Asserting that no such incident were meted out to civilians even when the British colonized Manipur, he mentioned Tonsen Leikai incident, Oinam Blue Bird Operation, murder of Rose in Ukhrul, Heirangoithong firing incident, Langjing's Binodini incident as some among the murders and tortures committed against the people of the State by security forces.

Such atrocities and brutal killings show that mainland India still consider Manipuris as inferior people.

Speaking at the event, Ningthoujam Rasantakumar Singh conveyed that he was a staff of RIMS at the time of RIMS firing incident and witnessed the hair raising incident and narrated his experience of the day.

Paying floral tributes to the nine civilians and observing a minute silence also marked the main events at the function.

Mention may be made that CRPF personnel deployed at RIMS (RMC at the time) shot dead nine civilians inside the campus on January 7, 1995 following an attack by underground militants on the security forces.

The victims of the massacre included an MBBS student of the medical college and a care taker of a toilet opened inside the campus.

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