Train attack condemned
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 20, 2012:
Several Manipuri Muslim organisations have condemned in the strongest term the act of killing Md Sarif Ahmad by pushing him out of a moving train.
Speaking to media persons at the Hatta office of the Pangal Students' Organisation (PSO) this evening, advisor of the Muslim Students' Union of Manipur Qayum said that the unfortunate incident happened because of indifference on the part of Government of India.
He demanded that all those involved in the heinous crime should be booked and punished according to law.
The incident was a stark reminder that the Government of India did not share any empathy with the people of North East region.
PSO advisor Hayatur Rahman said that Sarif was doing MSc (Geography) course in Cotton College, Guwahati.
He attended class on August 16 and contacted his family the same day.
It is confusing how he reached New Jalpaiguri but it is certain that he was not returning from Bangalore, Rahman said.
Saying that it looked like there was a political conspiracy behind the killing, Rahman demanded that the Government of India, Government of Assam, Government of West Bengal and Government of Manipur find out the facts and circumstances of the killing at the earliest otherwise there is no guarantee that there would be no mass agitation.
The All Manipur Muslim Organisations' Co-ordinating Committee president Md Kheiruddin Shah alleged that despite the State Government's efforts to protect Manipuri people staying and coming back from different parts of the country, the incident reflect lack of touch between State Government officials and their counterparts of other States.
The impact of the clash in Assam should not be allowed to spread to other parts of the country, Kheiruddin said while appealing to all the people not to spread rumour.
Two more bodies were found today at Halakota near New Jalpaiguri, taking the death toll to four.