No Let Up In Movement Against The Continued Imposition Of Army Act
Heirok alone accounts for 68 deaths since '85
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2012: Since 1985, 68 youngsters of Heirok have been killed by security forces and non-state actors.

In addition, many women and children of the village have been reeling under adverse impacts of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Highlighting the bane of AFSPA, many organisations and local clubs of Heirok today demanded complete repeal of the infamous Act from Manipur as well as initiation of political dialogue to resolve the existing political armed conflict.

Speaking to some media persons at Heirok today, joint secretary of the People's Organisation for Civil Integrity and Liberty, Ningthoujam Joy said that 68 young people of Heirok have been shot dead by security forces and non-state actors between 1985 and 2012 .

The existing political armed conflict and AFSPA imposed in the State in the name of suppressing insurgency have put the people of Manipur and Heirok under perpetual misery.

Members seated on the dais during an anti-AFSPA meet

Saying that AFSPA has been causing all kinds of harassment to the public, Joy demanded immediate repeal of AFSPA.

Giving her testimony, 28 year old M Mangolnganbi said that her husband was shot dead by 15 Assam Rifles on January 15 last on the false charge of being an insurgent.

With her husband no more, Mangolnganbi has shouldering all the responsibility of her family which comprises of her invalid mother-in-law, a 10 year old daughter and a six year old son.

Her husband M Ibungo was working as an SPO in Heirok.

Ibungo was associated with 15th Assam Rifles and was helping them.

Some personnel of 15th AR called out Ibungo from his home on the pretext of going for some work together.

But the next day, it was said that Ibungo was killed in an encounter at Langol.

It was also claimed that one AK 47 rifle was recovered from Ibungo.

But Mangolnganbi maintained that her husband had no link with any UG group.

He was killed in cold blood by AR troops after taking him into their custody, she asserted.

After the death of her husband, Mangolnganbi has been struggling under abject poverty to run her family.

Even as a complaint was filed with SDO Lamphel on June 14 this year in connection with the killing of her husband, no action has been taken up till date.

Thokchom Sunita (32) and her mother-in-law Memma said that their husband/son was also shot dead on the false charge of being a UG cadre.

Late Thokchom Basanta's mother Memma said, "My son was an outstanding athlete and always truthful.

It was AFSPA which enabled security forces to kill my son.

The draconian Act must be abolished without any further delay" .

The press meet was also attended by a number of youngsters whose families were subjected to perpetual harassment by security forces on the false charge of having nexus with UG groups.

Social Action Development Organisation secretary L Mandir said that voiced strong disapproval of AFSPA which enables security forces to commit all kinds of excesses.

International Criminal Court should be allowed to operate in India and justice should be done to all the victims of AFSPA, Mandir demanded.