Surbala JAC sets conditions to claim body
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 04 2024:
Representatives of the 'JAC against the brutal killing of Ngangbam Surbala by Kuki militants' met chief minister N Biren around 11.30am Wednesday.
Speaking to media persons after meeting the chief minister, convenor N Popilal informed that the JAC submitted an eight-point demand to the CM, highlighting grievances of the Meetei settlements close to Kuki villages in Sekmai area.
In response, the CM gave his assurances with regard to some points.
However, the JAC will not claim Surbala's body until the assurances are first put into action, he said.
In response to the JAC's demand, the CM urged for conducting the post mortem of examination so that the government can award ex-gratia after filing requisite documents.
He also assured to arrange source of livelihood for Surbala's husband that could provide a stable income for the family, Popilal conveyed.
Regarding the eight points, Popilal explained that they include demands for visible firm action against attacks by Kuki militants from Kuki inhabited areas; recovery of 'genuine' weapons during search operations carried out in hill areas instead of dummy/country-made ones; government take strict legal action against Kuki militants who are killing women and children, and causing many others to flee their homes; withdraw 'SoO' and removal of biased Assam Rifles deployed in fringe areas of Sekmai; government forward strongly-worded letter to the ministry concerned against the paramilitary forces in-charge over the Koutruk incident; deploy additional state forces to protect the Meetei villages located next to Kukis in fringe areas of Sekmai; government assist Surbala's surviving family, especially the educational expenses of Surbala's kids till Class XII; impartial search operations in both hill and valley, and not to disturb Meetei village volunteers until situation returns to normal; and for the aforementioned demands to be put into action, failing which the body will not be claimed.
He further stated that with regard to the family's lack of a land plot, the CM assured to grant a patta (document).
Regarding the demand for action against officials of central forces, he (CM) said that the case will be first handed over to NIA and the militants arrested, before action can be taken up.
The CM also stated that the more state forces will be deployed in Meetei-inhabit-ed areas of Sekmai and bunkers constructed.
On the matter of replacing 32 AR platoon with state forces, the CM said that instructions have been given for a letter to be sent on the matter.
Once all these demands are addressed, the body of Surbala will be claimed, Popilal informed.
Meanwhile, Phayeng Apunba Nupi Lup staged a sit-in protest against the attacks carried out by Kuki militants on Meetei villages, at Phayeng Awang Leikai Keithel on Wednesday.
The Lup strongly condemned the attack in Koutruk on Sunday which claimed the life of Surbala and subsequent attacks.
It then extended full support to all activities/steps taken up by the JAC in connection with the killing.
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