Malom massacre:: 13 yrs on, but justice remains elusive
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 02 2013 : Remembering the 10 civilians who were gunned down by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom on this day in 2002, floral tributes were paid to their memorial by the family members, friends and other well-wishers.

Although the Malom incident took 13 years back, the family members of the victims are still crying for justice.

Even though the Government of Manipur had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, the report of the inquiry is yet to be made known to the people.

On top of this, people are not aware of any concrete measures that the Government had taken up in connection with the gruesome incident that gave birth to Irom Chanu Sharmila.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the commemorative event, Kangujam Ongbi Memcha, wife of Kangujam Bijoy of Leimapokpam Khunpham, who was among those those killed, said, "When my husband was killed, he left behind six children.

At that time, our eldest daughter was studying in class IV only and now she is married and settled in life.

But the Government of Manipur is yet to do justice to my slain husband'' .

Malom massacre:: 13 yrs on, but justice remains elusive

She went on to say, "Following the public anger over the incident, the Government promptly ordered a magisterial inquiry and the report of the inquiry duly submitted to the Government.

We were hoping that along with submission of the inquiry report, the Government of Manipur would do at least something to ensure justice to the victims.

But the Government has belied all hopes.

The Government has kept the inquiry report concealed till date" .

Memcha said that after the death of her husband, she has faced untold miseries in trying to bring up her six children single-handedly.

But the Govt has not given any attention.

Nonetheless, Memcha stated firmly that she would continue to fight for justice to her slain husband as long as she is alive on this earth.

Convenor of the Ten Innocent Deceased Families Trust T Somorendro said that after the Government failed to make public the report of the magisterial inquiry into the Malom incident, the victims' families jointly filed a writ petition in the High Court.

But, here again, the court has not given any directive and the petition remained pending.

"To ensure that such incidents are not repeated in Manipur, resolution of case is essential and justice is a must", Somorendro added.

It may be noted here that among the 10 victims, one of them was a National Bravery awardee.

In protest against the Malom incident, Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has come to be known as the 'Iron Lady of Manipur' started her fast unto death stir three days after demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, which gives sweeping power to armed security personnel with no legal sanction for prosecution.

Sharmila's struggle is also completing 13 years, the longest hunger strike in the history, but there has been no sign of any relentless on the part of the Government to withdraw the Act denounced by human rights activists as draconian.

On the contrary, all these years Sharmila has been taken into judicial custody, forced feed through a nasal-tube and kept confined in the security ward of JNIMS where she is not allowed any visitor including her own family members.

Meanwhile, to mark the completion of 13 years of Sharmila's struggle on November 5, Amnesty International India launched the 'Campaign to release Sharmila' since yesterday.

In solidarity to this campaign, various programmes have been planned across the country from November 2 to 5 .

On November 4, Khashala Sanskritic Manch, Mahatama Gandhi International Hindi University, Warsha, Maharashtra would jointly organise a march to Sevagran, where Mahatma Gandhi formulated his non-vioeltn struggle agauinst the British after coming back from South Africa.

The Civil Rights and Social Justice Soity (CRSJS) is also planning a big public meeting at Kerala, the home State of AK Anthony, the Defence Ministr of India.

The meeting will be graced by leader of Kerala Assembly VS Achyutanand.

In West Bengal, human rights activists and many eminent persons are planning to handover a memorandum to the Governor of that State.

In Manipur, a one-day fast would be observed under the aegis of Sharmila Kanba Lup at Porompat on November 5 during the day and at night, there would be candle lighting at Porompat.