Sit-ins, rallies condemn murder of student duo
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 27 2023: Strongly condemning the killings of two young students, namely Hijam Linthoingambi (17) and Phijam Hemanjit (20), members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Manipur organised a sit-in protest in front of Manipur University gate at Canchipur on Wednesday.

During the sit-in, ABVP members demanded speedy justice to the two victim students, ensure stringent punishment of perpetrators of the crime and for the CBI to expedite the investigation, to stop divide and rule policy in Manipur and for the centre to restore peace in the state.

Speaking on the side lines, ABVP Manipur state president RK Rabichandra condemned the killings and requested both the central and state governments to take immediate and thorough measures to investigate the murder case comprehensively, and award death penalty to the criminals.

He also appealed to both governments to normalise the situation in Manipur, while condemning the oppressive tactics adopted by the state forces against the student community.

Later, the ABVP members and students from different colleges shouted slogans and used placards inscribed with various slogans.

Meanwhile, around 300 students of Shija Academy of Health Sciences staged sit-in protest at the Academy's gate in Langol on Wednesday, condemning the brutal murder of the two students.

Medical students of the state-run JNIMS also staged sit-in demonstration and took out protest march around the institute on Wednesday to condemn the killing.

Apart from taking out protest rally in denunciation of the killing of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, many continued to condemn the brutal murder of the duo whose photos of pre and post killing in the captivity of suspected armed Kuki militants went viral on social media and sent shockwaves across the state and beyond.

On Tuesday, students took out a rally through Nambol Bazar against the duo's killing.

The agitated students chanted slogans such as 'Punish student killers as per law', 'Uphold Manipur's integrity', Tong live Manipur', etc., and held banners denouncing the cold blooded murder.

A girl student fainted during the protest and was taken to CHC, Nambol for treatment.

The rally organised by six student bodies namely, AIMS, DESAM, KSA, SUK, MSF and another organisation was participated by students of Special Regular English School, Nambol; Nambol L Sanoi College; and Nambol Higher Secondary School.

Speaking to media persons, one of the pro testing students condemned the killing of young students by armed Kuki militants and demanded that the government stop attacks by SoO-bound Kuki militants on innocent people & students while urging the government of India to shelve its divide and rule policy.

Meanwhile, in separate releases, Association of Meiteis in America, Coordinating Committee of 30 Assembly Constituencies, Waisellakpa Iduningthou Lamjing Lup, Haoba Sorarel Naoyok,Naokon Lup, Pangal Students' Organisation, Awang Chingkhei Ereibak Inat Kanba Lup and Joint Committee on Affected Meetei Victims' Manipur stated that the chilling photographs that emerged on social media, depicting the victims' last moments before the execution and their lifeless bodies, are stark reminder of the cruelty that has befallen these innocent lives.

The look of fear in their eyes will haunt us forever, etching an indelible image in our hearts and minds, they lamented.

They also denounced the silence of PM Narendra Modi, HM Amit Shah and CM N Biren.

The state government has promised swift and decisive action in response to the horrifying revelation, they pointed out while maintaining that delay in bringing justice to the innocent lives amidst the backdrop of ethnic violence in the region raises serious questions about the efficiency of the investigation process.

They also urged the state and central governments to intervene and pressure armed militants to hand over the bodies so that their families can perform the last rites of the two slain students.

Moreover, they strongly denounced the excesses committed by security forces including state forces and RAF towards the unarmed students who protested against the killing of the two students.

Maintaining that there is no other way to control the protest than punishing the culprits involved in the killing publicly, they urged against suppression of the people's true movement through use of brutal force.

The organisations also opined that there is no need to cling onto the ministerial chair if proper governance cannot be ensured and condemned frequent banning of internet services as the incident does not have any connection with banning of internet.

The only connection is the irresponsible and the inability to govern properly, they added.

Samurou Naorem Apunba Lup (SANAALUP) also organised a sit-in protest against the brutal killings of H Linthoingambi and Ph Hemanjit by suspected armed Kuki militants at Samurou Keithel on Wednesday.

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