Bodies demand justice for Jiribam victims
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 20 2024:
Jiri Apunba Lup (JAL), Jiribam; Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup (MACHA LEIMA); and Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE), Manipur have vehemently condemned barbaric act on November 11 in Jiribam district, wherein two elderlies, three women and three children were brutally killed by armed Kuki militants.
"We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the eight innocent civilians who were viciously killed by Chin-Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants," a release by JAL Media Cell said.
JAL recounted that armed militants brazenly entered Jakuradhor village, a Meetei area, in broad daylight and set fire to houses in full view of CRPF security forces.
Two elderly villagers, Laishram Barel Singh (63) and Maibam Kesho Singh (71), were burned alive, and total of 16 houses destroyed in the arson attack.
When security forces retaliated, a fierce gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of 10 militants and serious injury of one CRPF jawan.
The 10 dead militants are Fimlienkum (31), son of Benzamin of Ngurte village, Saikot; Ramneilien (29), son of Rema of Thenmuol, Saikot; Lalthanei (22), son of Lalrisang of Muolvaiphei; Elvis Lalropui, son of Laltangsang of Khopui-bung village, Saikot; Henry Lalsanglien (25), son of Lalsandam of Khopuibung, Saikot; Robert Lajnuntluong (16), son of Albert Chalthansung of Ngurte village; Lalsiemlien Hmar (30), son of (late) Zolienkung of Valpakot; Francis Lalzarlien (25), son of Vanlalsuong of Thenmuol, Saikot - all in Churachandpur district; Joseph Lalditum (19), son of Rosangzual of Parbung; and Roulneisang (30), son of Lalsawmlien of Toulbung village, both in Pherzawl district.
Heavy arms and ammunition such as AK rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles and RPGS were recovered from the slain militants, it informed.
JAL stated that on the same day, six women and children were abducted, subjected to inhumane torture and sexual violence before being killed.
The victims were Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31), Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heitonbi Devi (25), Laishram Chingkheinganha Singh (2.5 years) and Laishram Langamba Singh (8 months old) .
Lifeless bodies of the victims namely, T Thoibi, T Thajamanbi and L Langamba were discovered floating in Barak river on November 15 .
Y Rani and L Chingiheinganba were discovered on November 17 and L Heitonbi was also discovered on November 18.JAL further asserted that the incident provides irrefutable evidence that these militants were not merely village volunteers protecting their communities.
"Their heavily armed presence coupled with their inhumane action clearly identifies them as organised terrorists.
It is reported that most of the militants including the slain ones were from Churachanpur and Pherzawl districts.
Claims from their affiliated organisations attempting to portray them as innocent village volunteers are baseless, false and unacceptable" it said.
JAL also strongly condemned the action of SSP (combat) Nectar Sanjenbam, who opened fire killing Khundrakpam Athouba Meitei (24), son of Khundrakpam Tomba Meitei of Kamranga (Khuningthek) during a protest against the killing of eight innocent civilians by the Chin-Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants.
In the incident, Keisam Bison Singh (26), son of Keisam Bijen Singh suffered bullet injury.
"In this regard, we call Upon the relevant authorities to take urgent necessary action for justice against the murderer as per law," the Jiri body demanded.
Meanwhile, MACHA LEIMA demanded stringent punishment for the Kuki terrorists who kidnapped six persons on November 11 from Jakuradhon Karong, allegedly raped and then killed them and dumped their body into the river.
It also urged the centre and the state government to immediately withdraw the SoO agreement with Kuki terrorists and declare them as terrorist organisations'.
Despite presence of more than 70,000 state and central security forces in the state, the forces have largely remained silent against Kuki terrorists' attack, which indicates that the centre is involved in some underhand business with them, it claimed, while demanding central and state governments to ensure security of life and property of its citizens.
On the other hand, CORE, Manipur Elders' Council president Dr Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, expressed perturbation over the recent, inhuman escalations in the armed conflict situation in Manipur.
In the wake of this development, the re-introduction of the Armed Forces Special (Powers) Act, 1958 in additional areas in various districts of Manipur is an abject surrender of the state and a clear sign of its total incompetency to read the situation correctly and deal with the conflict, it stated.
CORE emphasised that to interpret the situation in Manipur as one of "law and order" not just incorrect but also a total misunderstanding of the internal affairs in this state.
The kidnapping and murders that occurred in Jiribam calls for the High Court of Manipur to take suo moto action to institute a high level, urgent judicial enquiry.
No effective action was taken by the Manipur Police and Indian security forces stationed in Jiribam district as soon as the kidnapping was reported, it noted.
CORE further stressed that only a judicial enquiry can fix accountability for this most unfortunate incident.
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