Women vendors warn of intense protest over teens' murder
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 27 2023:
Women vendors of Khwairamband Ima Keithel have cautioned of launching indefinite protest if the central and the state governments fail to arrest and punish the culprits involved in the brutal murder of the two students, whose photos while they were alive and dead have gone viral on social media.
Strongly condemning the murder of the students during a protest in the market area on Wednesday, one Asem Nirmala questioned what the intelligence agencies of the government is doing instead of trying to find clues to the murder of the two students who went missing on July 6.The viral photos have sparked anguish across the state.
Additionally, it has been stated that the government had handed over the case to CBI, but majority of the cases handed over to CBI have been suppressed over time.
Thus, there is no trust even if the case is handed over to CBI team, who are only coming to the state to fool the people, she remarked.
Nirmala continued that PM Modi, who after remaining silent for over three months, only spoke up after the viral video of two women paraded naked surfaced, vowed to award capital punishment to the culprits involved.
The people want to know what action will be taken up against those who killed the two students, she posed and suggested that BJP state president A Sarda tender resignation from her post as a mother herself and in protest against the killings.
Nirmala also rejected the government's order for surrendering weapons within 15 days, while questioning how the people are going to defend themselves with bare hands.
The state government should understand that the Meetei community have no access to sophisticated weapons unlike the armed Kukis.
Regarding the arrest of village volunteer M Anand by NIA on charges of transnational conspiracy, she demanded that evidences supporting the accusation be made public.
She then condemned the act of victimising the Meetei community on any fabricated charges, while demanding that the Kuki MLAs, who are acting against their oath to protect the integrity of the state and country, be awarded capital punishment.
Condemning the brutal murder of the innocent students in the strongest terms and alleging government favouritism towards a particular community, Khwairamband Phouoibi Ima Keithel Vendro's Welfare Union also threatened to launch intense agitation if no action is taken up against the culprits involved in the murder of the two students.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club on Wednesday, Union president RK Chandranisana said that the manner in which the two students have been killed very disturbing and has shocked the mothers of Manipur.
The government should take all steps to ensure that justice is done io the two slain students and that the culprits punished at the earliest.
Chipping in, Union general secretary K Dhaneshwari said that at the beginning of the war waged by the narco-terrorists, all the Meiteis were fighting against the enemies.
But now, it seems like we are turning towards each other amid the central forces committing serious atrocities against the Meiteis, she maintained.
Meanwhile, demanding the state government to take up action against the Kuki militants involved in the killing of two students, Khurai Apunba Meira Lup and Lamlong Keithel Phambi Nupi Lup organised a sit-in protest demonstration at Lamlong on Wednesday.
Speaking on the side lines, Meira Lup president Lairikyengbam Kananbala cautioned that the government cannot remain silent by simply handing over the case to the CBI but strive to arrest the culprits involved in the case at the earliest.
She also condemned the excessive force used by the security forces towards the protesting students.
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