Death anniversary of Rabina, Sanjit observed
Call to fight repressive measures under AFSPA rings out loud
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2013: Calls to fight back State repression either under AFSPA or otherwise marked the fourth death anniversary of Rabina and Sanjit.

Thokchom Rabina, then seven months pregnant was killed shot dead at Khwairamband Keithel on July 23, 2009.A few minutes later Chungkham Sanjit was shot dead by police commandos.

Denouncing the twin murder, people have been observing their death anniversary every year with a demand to punish all those involved in the twin murder as per the law of the land.

Like the previous years, the death anniversary of Rabina and Sanjit was observed today at Ima Nongmaileima premises, Khurai Chingangbam Leikai.

Other main features of the death anniversary observance were offering of floral tributes to photographs of Rabina and Sanjit and it was followed by a public meeting.

Tributes paid to the pictures of Rabina and Sanjit

Irabot Foundation Manipur president Thounaojam Iboyaima, Apunba Lup co-ordinator Ayekpam Langdon Leima, Phulindro Konsam, Sunil Karam, Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi Manipur president L Memchoubi, AMKIL president Ph Sakhi and Kanglamei president Y Leirik Leima graced the death anniversary function as presidium members.

The function was organised by the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Thokchom Rabina and Chungkham Sanjit.

Speaking at the gathering, All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj secretary Thokchom Ramani noted that the people of Manipur have been struggling against AFSPA for the last 33 years.

Under the impunity guaranteed by the infamous Act, a number of civilians have been shot dead by security forces while many others have been made to disappear involuntarily.

Similar repressive measures are continuing even today and the Government never bothers to pay any attention to Irom Sharmila anti-AFSPA crusade which is more than 12 years old.

Given such stubborn attitude of the Government, the struggle against AFSPA need to be strengthened all the more, Ramani asserted.

L Memchoubi highlighted the need for unity and a united force in order to wake up the Government and force it to repeal AFSPA.

Th Iboyaima remarked that the death of Rabina and Sanjit woke up the oppressed people of Manipur and inspired them stand firm and united against all repressive laws.

Claiming that an Indian Army Major has accepted the armed movement of Manipur is insurgency and its cadres are freedom fighters, not terrorists, Iboyaima asserted that the Government, nonetheless, has been deliberately scheming to project the armed movement of Manipur as terrorism.

Apart from ethnic conflicts, formed UG cadres who have laid down arms are fighting and killing each other.

All these internecine killings are engineered by the Government of India, he alleged.

Langdon Leima said that 90 per cent of the activities of State forces are evil.

As such, they do not deserve any public faith.

There is photographic evidence on how Sanjit was killed.

There was no need for any enquiry.

All such extra judicial killings were perpetrated under AFSPA.

The Government has also admitted that AFSPA is inhuman.

Yet, the Government is adamantly refusing to lift the draconian Act, Sunil Karam decried.

Unlike in the past where the brunt of AFSPA was borne by common man only, even Ministers and law enforcing agencies have now felt the impacts of AFSPA.

It was manifested in the recent Jiribam face off between the Indian military and State forces.

Such incidents glaringly testified that the Indian military has no respect for the people of Manipur irrespective of whether they are Ministers or security force, observed Sunil Karam.

UPF president BM Yaima further observed that State forces too have joined the Indian military in oppressing the mass.

He cited the recent incident at Sora where a 12 year old boy was killed and eight persons injured in police action.

Former UCM president Dilip exhorted the mass to stand up boldly against AFSPA and the repressive measures it warrant.

AMUCO president Y Mani underscored the need for unity among all sections of the society including intellectuals and scholars if the struggle against AFSPA must bear fruits.