Satyabhama's parents pray for justice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2013 : Satya-bhama's parents have appealed to all the people to ensure that justice is delivered.

On the other hand, the indefinite bandh called by the JAC continued for the second day today, disrupting free movement of vehicles at different parts of Imphal.

Questioning for what fault Satyabhama was murdered in the most gruesome manner, her mother Ningombam (O) Phajabi said "There have been many shocking instances where women and children were murdered and their lifeless bodies abandoned in different corners of Manipur before our daughter was murdered in a similar manner.

"But hardly any culprit involved in these criminal activities are ever punished", she decried.

It was exactly one month before on March 5 when 16 year old Khullem Tondon of Luker Mayai Leikai was found murdered after being raped at Haorang canal.

People were protesting against the brutal crime when Satyabhama was found murdered at Bashikhong on April 5 .

Conveying gratitude for the people's movement demanding punishment of all the culprits and ensuring security for women and children, Phajabi sought cooperation of the public to the effect that murderer(s) of her daughter is/are of her daughter is/are awarded exemplary punishment.

Womenfolk blocking the road and inset the late Satyabhama

Phajabi and her husband have no sons though they have six daughters and Satyabhama was one of them.

It was a big challenge for Phajabi and her husband to educate their daughters properly.

Their task was further compounded by the social structure where families/parents having male issues are more respected whereas families having no male issues are relegated in the social echelon.

Satyabhama, second eldest daughter of Ningombam Tomba and Phajabi studies in Kakwa English School from KG to Class II.

Then she studied up to Class X at Sofia English School before clearing class XII exam from HRD Academy.

She did BSc in Microbiology under Mangalore University and graduated in first class.

She did her MSc (Biochemistry) in Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu and passed out in first class.

To help augment her parents's income, Satyabhama used to work as a door to door book hawker after she came back from Tamil Nadu.

At the initiative of her father, Satyabhama worked in RIMS Microbiology department so that she could gain some work experience.

After that, she got selected as a Junior Research Fellow under DBT Project of RIMS Pathology department in November 2010.She got a monthly fellowship of Rs 13,800.While working in RIMS, Satyabhama was keen to continue her study/research at Manipur University, Tomba recalled about her daughter's aspiration.

Since childhood, Satyabhama was a believer of truth and she would never compromise or turn back from what she had accepted as a truth.

According to Phajabi, Satyabhama had no boy friend even after she completed her MSc.

It was only after she started working in RIMS that Satyabhama was seen talking with a man over mobile phone.

On being enquired about the details of the man, Satyabhama only said that the man was doing contract works worth several crores.

On further enquiry, she just laughed it off and made it a joke saying that his (her boyfriend) parents would be coming to seek her hand in the month of Poinu.

All the phone numbers to and from which Satyabhama called or was called have been given to police.

"My daughter was duped by the man.

They cajoled and called out my daughter", Phajabi said in a quivering tone.

Tomba is working at Khumbong PHC under Medical Directorate while Phajabi is a lady health visitor at Lilong PHC.

"If those criminals who have no remorse in killing women and children are not given exemplary punishment, the tragedy that strike my family today would fall on other families too one after another", Tomba said.

To save the society from such a lawless situation, it is crucial to ensure that all the culprits are punished according to law, he added.

Women Action for Development secretary Sobita Mangshatabam said that it is important to investigate and ascertain the motive behind the murder of Satyabhama.

She further called upon all the people to work together and ensure that the culprit(s) is/are booked and charge-sheet submitted in time and trial conducted speedily so that those found guilty are given befitting punishment.