Many condemn killing of women, children, take out candlelight vigil
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal/Jiribam, November 17 2024:
Tbl/, Nov 17: People across several districts and many civil society organisations have vehemently condemned the killing of six persons including women and children at Jiribam.
At Thoubal district, the Thoubal Apunba Lup staged a sit-in-protest at Melaground condemning the abduction and brutal killing of six women and children.
A large number of people from different parts of Thoubal district gathered at Melaground demanding the Government to declare COTU, ITLF and other Kuki militant groups as terrorist organizations and raised various slogans against the Government and the militants.
Speaking at the protest demonstration, S Amarjit, publicity secretary of TAL said, the gruesome killing of innocent women and children by Kuki militants is an act of terrorism and is condemned in the strongest terms.
The Government must book the perpetrators involved in the brutal killing and conduct a judicial inquiry within 48 hours, said Amarjit.
He further asserted that the decision of the Government to ban the internet is unacceptable and will only add fuel to the ongoing crisis.
Instead of banning the internet, the Government must act to bring an end to the present crisis so that people could live peacefully as before, Amarjit said.
He appealed to the CSOs of the State to unite and work together.
A sit-in-protest was also staged at Yairipok Keithel organised by Nongpok Sayang Apunba Lup decrying the gruesome killing of women and children and expressed their anger at the Government for failing to protect the lives of civilians.
Similar protest was also held at Babu bazar, Thoubal district organised by Meitei Joint Coordinating Committee, Waithou to Thoubal Khunou, demanding the Government to arrest the perpetrators involved in the killing of six individuals.
The protesters raised many slogans including "Repeal AFSPA", "Resign irresponsible Minister/MLA", "Book the culprit and conduct judicial enquiry" and held placards condemning the killing.
A sit-in protest was also staged at Charangpat, Thoubal district condemning the killing of six civilians by Kuki militants.
The protesters condemned the Government for its inability to protect the lives of civilians from Kuki militants.
The protesters raised various slogans like "Stop proxy war against Meitei", "AFSPA cannot suppress Manipur", "We want peace", "Respect Human Rights", "Resign irresponsible Minister/MLA", "Declare kuki-zomi militants as terrorists".
Khangabok Joint Coordinating Committee (KJCC) held a candlelight vigil at Khangabok remembering the six victims and seeking justice.
Khangabok Apunba Leishabi, Khangabok Defence Force (KDF) and various members of Village Volunteer Force (WF) took part in the candlelight vigil.
A two minute silence was observed for the departed souls to rest in peace in heavenly abode.
Various slogans like "Protect the lives of civilians", "Arrest the culprit involved in the gruesome killing", "We condemn killing of civilians", "Eliminate Kuki terrorists from the soil of Manipur" were raised by the protesters.
The United Development Committee (UDC) Thoubal too has condemned the killing of the six individuals by Kuki militants in Jiribam district.
The International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Jiribam Branch also condemned the recent killing of 6 civilians including women and children and sought justice for the victims.
IPSA condemned the killings and expressed profound grief.
It shared the pain and grief of the bereaved families and demanded justice for the victims highlighting their anguish over the incident.
IPSA further stated that the Government should repeal the AFSPA, 1958 immediately, and demanded action against the perpetrators involved in the brutal killing.
If the Government fails to meet the demands, IPSA with the people will launch stringent agitation, said IPSA.
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