Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 02 2009:
Reacting to the expose by Tehelka news weekly whose photos highlighted excesses committed by police commandos, several organisations have strongly advocated institution of a judicial inquiry in addition to threatening launch of intense agitation.
Moreover, these organisations accusing the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh of misleading the citizens in general and members of the State Legislative Assembly in particular demanded that the CM need not cling onto the highest post of an elected Government.
The CM should immediately resign owning morale responsibility for the intentional execution of Ch Sanjit and the pregnant Rabina Devi on July 23 and injuries suffered by five others, the bodies asserted.
Serving an ultimatum to the State Government that commandos involved in the killing of Ch Sanjit be punished within August 5, an NGO namely All communities United Front (ACUF) proclaimed that failure to take punitive action would be followed by intense agitation, including general strike.
Speaking to media-persons at its Naoremthong office today, ACUF general secretary L Mangal contended that photos released by Tehelka unarguably illustrate that Sanjit was slain in a stage-managed encounter with such cruel intention of the police commandos resulting in the death of the pregnant Rabina Devi besides injuring five others.
He also observed that inspite of the photos clearly implicating police commandos in the July 23 firing at BT Road and exposing ceaseless excesses committed by the men in uniform, absence of appropriate measures from the side of the Government to reign in such rogue securitymen tantamount to encouraging wanton killings of the citizens.
Insisting that commando personnel involved in the extra-judicial killing be identified and punitive action be taken within the stipulated period, the ACUF functionary reiterated any laxity by the Government on the issue would be strongly opposed.
Mangal further announced that besides targeting Government properties and establishment various intense form of agitation would be launched.
Meanwhile, a statement of Ethno Heritage council said with the Tehelka photos illustrating beyond doubt that police commandos were actually responsible for causing the deaths and injuries during the BT Road firing, the CM need not hesitate from stepping down on morale ground while all the 60 MLAs owe an apology o the people for failure to live upto expectation of the electorates.
observing that the CM not only mislead the Assembly but betrayed the people by covering up cruelty of the commandos, the Council also asserted that as member of the Opposition party too failed to enact their assigned task apology to the people is inevitable.
The Council also asked all the 60 legislators to ensure that the entire truth about the killing of Sanjit and Rabina, and wounding of the five others be thoroughly investigated so that the perpetrators are punished accordingly.
Venting similar sentiment and anguish against high-handedness of police commandos, All India Students' Federation (Manipur State Council), All Manipur Shops & Establishment Employees Association, Manipur State Council of All India Youth Federation and Sharmila Kanba Lup also demanded institution of judicial enquiry.