MSF to remember sacrifice of Pebam Chitaranjan
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, July 16 2014: Ten years ago a promising student leader from Manipur became a human torch shouting slogans against the draconian law Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 seconds before he fell into coma.

He was admitted in a hospital with more than 90 percent burn injuries but succumbed the following day.

Pebam Chitaranjan self-immolated in 2004 protesting against the AFSPA during the mass protest in Manipur when the civil society organisations both from the hills and the valley strongly protested against the draconian law.

The Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) is organising a mega event to remember the Pebam Chitaranjan death anniversary in Imphal on August 16 .

The mass protest in Manipur was triggered after a woman was raped before she was murdered by the Assam Rifles in 2004.Series of protest followed.

The state government had to clamp curfew in the valley districts for weeks.

Meanwhile, addressing the media here, MSF president M Angamba said a public meeting will be held at THAU Ground, Imphal on August 16 after floral tributes were paid at Bishnupur bazar where Pebam Chitaranjan had torched himself and also his birth place Takhellambam Leikai in Imphal.

Floral tributes will also be paid at Jiribam, M Angamba stated.

Fuming that the 60 legislators of Manipur instead of investing their energy to repeal the AFSPA, 1958, Angamba said they are taking resolutions after resolutions every year to extend the draconian law in the state.

M Angamba then reminded the Jeevan Reddy Commission recommendation of June 6, 2006 for the repeal of the AFSPA.

He also recalled the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh assuring to amend the Act with a humane one in December, 2006 on the basis of the Jeevan Reddy Commission Report.

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