Triple killing: Four years on, justice still eludes
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 17, 2013: Four years have passed, but the family members of Dr Thingnam Kishan, the then SDO of Kasom Khullen; Revenue Mandal Yumnam Token and driver Aribam Rajen, who were abducted and subsequently murdered by some armed cadres of NSCN (IM) still wait for justice.

With CBI, to whom the case has been handed over by the Government of Manipur, dragging its feet, it is learnt that the family members of Dr Kishan have filed a petition in the Supreme Court recently requesting for an independent body to probe into the case for speedy justice.

It may be recalled here that along with three other persons namely Kapangkhui Zimik, Ramthing and Ramshing , Dr Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen were abducted by some armed cadres of NSCN (IM) from near the gate of DC office Ukhrul on February 13, 2009.While Kapangkhui Zimik, Ramthing and Ramshing were released, the lifeless bodies of Dr Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen were found under Lukhrabi Bridge near Taphou Kuki Village in Senapati district in the morning of February 17 with tale tell signs of brutal tortures.

Following widespread condemnation and protest, NSCN (IM), which initially denied involvement of any of its cadres in the brutal killing, subsequently handed over main accused in the crime identified as self-styled Commanding Officer of Kiusumong Battalion (Siroy) Lt.Col.H Ningshen to Naga Hoho, which in turned handed him over to the CBI.

Dr Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen

Ningshen is currently lodged in Tihar Jail new.

But other accomplices in the crime namely self-styled Sergeant Major Ashang and Town Commander Apho Sibo are still at large.

The 4th Death Anniversary of Dr Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen was observed today at Maparee Ningshingkol located next to Cheirap Court at Uripok here where their mortal remains have been laid to rest.

Organised under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Brutal Killing of Dr Th Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen, a large number of people offered floral tributes to the departed souls at their memorial stone amidst rendering of devotional songs by artistes of the musical group, Roop Raag and Pena recital by Pena Sana Leikham Sanglakpa Padmashree awardee Kh Mangi.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the main observance function, former Minister RV Mingthing stated that the only means to help evolve a new Manipur is to keep aside and forget all the unwanted incidents of the past and instill the feeling of love and oneness among all the ethnic communities in the State.

He pointed out that France and German, America and Japan which were arch rivals once and fought ferociously during the World Wars, have today put aside all their differences and are living peacefully with development as their focus area.

Likewise, in Manipur, the Nagas and the Kukis, the Meeteis and the Pangals need to forget their past differences and create an atmosphere of love among themselves.

This is the only means to bring about development and peace in State, he added.

He further pointed out that Meetei script is the only existing script of the Mongoloid people settling in North Eastern region of India.

This shows the richness of Manipuri civilization.

So, along with promotion of the script we need to make Meeteilon as the lingua franca of the Mongoloids settling in North East India.

Mangpu Karong, Secretary of Kom Literature Society, who attended the observance as Guest of Honour, stated that the during the 1800 years of Manipuri history, there has never been a dark age except during the time of King Pamheiba, who under the influence of Hindu religious missionary Shantidas Gossai, started sowing the seed of discord among the people.

The hatred which is seen among the different communities of the State is an outcome of the differences in opinion among the different UG groups.

But in reality, there is no love loss among the people of different ethnic groups in Manipur till today, though outwardly it may seem, he added.

As part of the observance, Satyajit Usham, Editor of Hueiyan Lanpao (English edition); Wahengbam Tiken, Editor of The People's Chronicle and A Mobi, President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) discoursed on theme of 'Homogenisation' and the role of media in promotion of peace and harmony in the State.

In his presentation, Satyajit Usham observed that charges of 'media biasness' from some disgruntled sections of the society is but natural in a social set up like Manipur which is steep in ethnicity and sectoral politics.

But the truth is that media in Manipur can't afford to be 'bias' against any group of people because any biasness in its reporting would spell the doom of that media house.

"In a multi-cultural society, every ethnic group has the right to pursue common interest and aspiration of the people within that group, and in fact, this is a Constitutional right.

But that should not blind the group from the larger common interest and aspiration of the society as a whole.

This is where the charges of 'media biasness' come in when any group feels that their interests are being relegated to the background", he said.

He further pointed out that there are more than 10 daily newspapers published from Imphal and the total population in Manipur is around 27 lakh people.

But the number of people who actually subscribe to any of these newspapers does not even cross 1 lakh.

So, in actual practice, all the so-called 'Imphal-centric' newspapers have to vie for the attention of the odd 1 lakh readers and they have no choice but to be accommodative as much as possible.

For any act of omission, there is the high possibility of eliminating them from the race by the readers.

This is a reality no media house in Manipur can even think of escaping from if they want to remain in circulation".