Skull discovery snuffs out last strand of hope
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20 2015: The discovery of eight human skulls and many skeletal remains from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus has exhausted the last hopes of many families who have been hoping they would one day re-unite with their dear ones who have disappeared involuntarily.

Yet some others are still hopeful that their lost and dear ones would come back one day.

In the aftermath of the disturbing discovery, FIDAM members today went to some families whose dear ones too disappeared after they were picked up by security forces.

FIDAM members first visited the family of Mayanglambam Tomba at Kakching Khunou who was pulled up from his home by troops of JK Light Infantry on December 2, 1980 .

On the same day, Mayanglambam Ashok of Umathel Khongnang Makhong and Khumukcham Thoiba of Sekshapat were also pulled up by the same troops.

Elder brother of a missing youth narrates a tale

Even though Ashok and Thoiba were released after some days, Tomba disappeared without any trace.

No one has any idea whether he is dead or still alive.

Tomba is the youngest of five siblings born to his parents.

He has one elder sister and three elder brothers.

He was a humble peasant who was earning his livelihood by rearing poultry birds, said Tomba's elder brother Iboyaima.

As Tomba did not return even after several years, a symbolic cremation was held with Pangong plant serving as the corpse.

"We have an inkling that one of the eight skulls and many skeletal remains discovered from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus might belong to my brother", Iboyaima said.

He further lamented that security forces have been instrumental in most of the cases of forced disappearance which took place in Manipur.

Even though representations were submitted to the then Chief Minister and the Governor on the disappearance of Tomba, no report was filed at police, Iboyaima added.

The FIDAM team then went to Top Siphai and visited the family of Longjam Suresh who too disappeared without any trace about four years back.

"We have not lost all hopes and we are praying for his safe return one day", said Suresh's elder brother Sanaton.

Suresh was dragged away from his bed by six armed persons clad in military uniform at around 11.30 pm of February 18, 2011.The unidentified armed persons came in a Rakshak jeep accompanied by other vehicles.

While six of them barged into the house, a large number of military personnel took positions at the residential gate, said one family member of Suresh.

After Suresh was pulled up, one Manglemba of the neighbouring locality was also apprehended.

Even though Manglemba was set free at Koirengei three days later, Suresh cannot be traced till date.

Suresh was a humble cattle farmer who was always occupied in gathering fodder and selling milk.

He once acted in Manipuri digital film Icham Chamna, Sanaton said.

Although the worried mother said that she has been waiting for the return of his son, she wore a forlorn look.

FIDAM president Kangujam Ranjit underscored the possible linkage between all those persons who have disappeared involuntarily and the skulls and skeletal remains discovered from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus.

If the matter is investigated properly, carbon dating and DNA test of the skulls and skeletal remains would be done compulsorily.

If the State Government opts to shy away from the public demand of launching a thorough investigation into the disturbing discovery, FIDAM would be compelled to launch all sorts of agitation, Ranjit said.