Death of Babysana : AMSU leads protest, sit ins held at different parts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2019: Condemning the lack of response from the State Government and the authorities concerned regarding the mysterious death of Ningthoujam Babysana at the boarding of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary school on July 18, the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) organised a mass protest at DM College western gate with numerous school students raising various slogans, apart from staging a sit in at the area as well.

Starting at around 11.30 am today, a large number of students belonging to various schools began coming out of DM College campus, met local womenfolk in front of DM College western gate and carried out a joint protest raising various slogans.

A sit in protest was also organised later at the area.

Meanwhile numerous police personnel could also be seen deployed in the area to prevent any unwanted incidents from happening.

Death of Babysana : AMSU leads protest, sit ins held at different parts

Speaking to media persons, AMSU president Peter Laishram said that the JAC formed in connection with the incident as well as numerous organisations have been demanding the Government to take up necessary actions regarding the case.

However, the Government as well as the authorities concerned have been staying mum till now, which has forced AMSU to resort to the sit in protest by blocking the roads today, he added.

Pointing out that AMSU is prepared to launch further agitation, Peter stated that AMSU strongly condemns the act of operating a hostel or a boarding allegedly without following any protocol.

Demanding the Government to implement proper rules and regulations for the hostels and boardings present in the State, the AMSU president continued that such unfortunate deaths will instill apprehensions in the mind of the parents when the time comes to put their wards in a hostel/ boarding.

Alleging that it will not be far-fetched to label Babysana's death as a planned murder, Peter, on behalf of AMSU, vehemently condemned the deafening silence of the Government and the authorities regarding the incident till now.

AMSU will continue agitation until and unless the matter is resolved and the culprits are punished, he announced, adding that all the student organisations will stand up to fulfil their responsibilities and will not let the death of a student slide off easily.

During the protest, the students and the womenfolk shouted slogans demanding punishment for the culprits involved, demanding justice and condemning the death of Babysana.

All the shops and business establishments in and around Thangmeiband area remained closed today and Meira Paibis and womenfolk also blocked most of the roads as well Vendors and shopkeepers of Paona Keithel staged a sit in protest in front of Leima Shopping today demanding swift justice for Babysana.

Speaking to media persons, one of the protesters Haobam Tombi said that the people will not accept the claims that Ningthoujam Babysana of Thangmeiband Meisnam Leikai committed suicide by hanging inside the boarding of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur, despite the alleged presence of bruises and marks on her body which suggested otherwise.

Pointing out that the State Government had agreed to do justice to Babysana's case by yesterday, which was the deadline served by the JAC, Tombi said that the Government failed to make any positive stride in the case.

This prompted the shopkeepers, businessmen, vendors and people of Paona Keithel to come out and stage the sit in protest, he added.

Further demanding indefinite closure of the boarding run by the school, Tombi lamented that many such cases have gone cold and disappeared from memory either with hushed and under the table agreements or claims that the matters have been handed over to an investigating agency like the CBI.

This trend will result in such unfortunate deaths to continue in the future, he added.

Tombi further alleged that unless the Government decide to detain the Principal and the wardens concerned of the school and find out the truth behind the mysterious death, justice will not be served.

The people and vendors of Paona Keithel will wholeheartedly support any action taken up by the JAC, he further said.

Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM) has also assured to endorse the 24 hours all Manipur bandh called by the JAC.

A press release issued by the president of the association today also urged all the CSOs and organisations of the State to extend support to the bandh in the interest of the students and future generations of the State.

On the other hand, Meira Paibis of Langthabal Kunja Awang Leikai and Kyamgei Heibong Makhong, staged sit in protests at their respective localities today demanding swift justice regarding the death of Babysana.

Speaking to media persons during the sit in protest organised by Langthabal Kunja Awang Leikai Meira Paibi Welfare Association at the locality, its joint secretary Keisham Madhubala Devi said that the association as well as the locals are immensely disturbed by the incident and are deeply shocked as well.

It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned to solve the case at the earliest, she said adding that the silence of the Government has led to apprehensions among the people.

On the other hand, she also appealed to the public not to spread any rumour without concrete evidence and added that if indeed the school concerned is found to be involved in the crime, the people of Langthabal will not try to protect or support the school.

On the other hand, speaking to media persons at the sit in protest organised by Kyamgei Youth Pioneer Club and All Kyamgei Nupi Chaokhat Thourang Lup at Kyamgei Heibong Makhong community hall, secretary of All Kyamgei Nupi Chaokhat Thourang Lup Akhongbam Ibeyaima said that the locals of the area and members of the two associations observed a two minute silence at the community hall and continued with the sit in.

Decrying the lack of response from the Government, she demanded the authorities concerned to make the post mortem report public so as to make the people aware of the true details surrounding Babysana's death.

She then clarified that the Meira Paibis of Kyamgei will not take sides and added that on the day of the incident, the Meira Paibis of the area went to the incident site not because of any other reasons other than the fact that the incident occurred in their area.

Appealing all those concerned not to spread false rumours about the people of Kyamgei on social media sites, she urged for lifting the ban on the school in the interest of the students studying in the said school.