Heirok tragedy continues to fuel people's ire and angst
Enraged mob vandalises four houses, JAC demands guns for all
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 27: In the aftermath of the killing of three youths including two girls at a Thabal Chongba venue in Heirok Part II Laikon Maning in the night of March 24, an enraged mob dismantled at least four houses today.

The infuriated people of Heirok rose in anger this morning and vandalised the house of Thokchom Maipak (25) s/o Angou of Heirok Mayai Leikai.

Maipak was pulled up by the people and police yesterday in connection with the killing of March 24 .

Peoples rummage through the remains of a dismantled house vandalised by the mob and remains of a vandalised house

Following this, the incensed mob vandalised the houses of Moirangthem Itao (25) s/o Tompok of Heituppokpi Mamang Leikai, Thokchom Manja alias Tekpi s/o Gulapi of Heirok Bazar Maning and Thokchom Sunildeo s/o Ibochouba of Heirok Mayai Leikai Part II.

The mob also blocked all vehicular traffic at Heirok gate and in the surrounding areas.

On the other hand, the JAC constituted in connection with the killing of three youths including two girls by firing in a Thabal Chongba venue at Heirok Part II Laikon Maning called on Chief Minister O Ibobi again and submitted another memorandum reiterating their demand to issue weapons to the people.

Talking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, JAC representatives conveyed that the proscribed PREPAK's clarification and apology only added fuel to the burning fire.

It only heightened the people's anguish and led to vandalisation of the houses.

The JAC's vice-president Kh Basanta conveyed that another memorandum was re-submitted to the Chief Minister today with a demand to issue a gun to each household of Heirok.

Asserting that the press statement of the PREPAK only added salt to the wounds of the people, Basanta appealed to the Government to provide a PA system to each of the 24 organisations located in Heirok area so that people can be mobilised at quick notice when any unwanted incident takes place in any part of Heirok.

He maintained that the JAC would not budge from its stand.

No UG group should be allowed to deduct any percentage from any development fund and PDS items meant for the people of Heirok, asserted the JAC representatives.

The JAC also demanded installation of adequate solar lamps on all the streets of Heirok and regular electric supply as long as the tense situation persists in the area.

Appealing to the State Government to turn the temporary IRB outpost at Heirok Part Mayai Leikai into a permanent one, the JAC urged the authority concerned to intensify patrolling exercise in the area.

The JAC's general secretary Laishram Mandir said, "We want freedom, we were born free".

"But are the people of Manipur enjoying any form of freedom today ?", "Are the revolutionary groups of Manipur for the people or to eliminate innocent civilians ?" he asked.

Taking serious note of the abject failure of the Government to protect its citizens, he demanded that weapons be issued to the people so that they can protect themselves.

Until and unless all UG groups establish the exact circumstances and situations leading to the indiscriminate firing at the Thabal Chongba venue, no UG group will be allowed entry in Heirok area, stated the JAC representatives.

Mandir also demanded to hand over the culprits to the people or punish them fittingly in full view of the public.

He further informed that friends of Nirmala, one of the victim of March 24 firing, have decided to fast unto death in protest against the inhuman killing.

Yet, the corpses of the deceased victims will be claimed tomorrow in view of the plight being endured by the bereaved families, he said.

Another vice-president of the JAC Laishram Thamboi lamented that UG groups deduct percentage from public funds whereas paramilitary force and army abstain from such practice of siphoning off public fund.

This is not the first time the UG group has been tendering apology after killing civilians, he observed.

Rejecting the charges levelled against Romesh by PREPAK, JAC convenor Ningthoujam Brucelee maintained that Romesh was an innocent civilian.

Romesh's elder sister disclosed that there was an instance when the PREPAK intimidated her but never against Romesh.

Those who participated in the Thabal Chongba in the fateful night together with Romesh maintained that the armed persons opened fire towards Romesh indiscriminately.

There was no incident of grappling between the armed persons and Romesh, they said.

The JAC also condemned the reported intimidation by one individual who identified himself as belonging to one newspaper firm to its general secretary to suspend the JAC's movements.