Sit-ins demand release/rescue of missing teens
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 09 2023: Demanding safe release of the two students namely Maibam Avinash and Ningthoujam Anthony, who went missing since November 5, meira paibi associations of Akham Awang Leikai staged a sit-in protest demonstration on Thursday with similar protests also organised in different parts of the valley districts.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the protest, Avinash's mother Maibam Debrani, confided that ever since her son went missing she had been keeping faith on the government to locate and hand him over to fam ily members consequently discouraging organisations from resorting to agitations.

While stating categorically that she does not believe anymore that the government would trace her missing son, the distraught mother appealed to those involved in the abduction, if any, of her son and his friend Anthony to release them on humanitarian ground.

Anthony's mother Ningthoujam Premlata, who also took part in the protest, said that her son had gone missing after he left for Sekmai.

While clarifying that her son had nothing to do with the on going ethnic conflict, Premlata also regret ted that despite assurances given by the Governor and the chief minister to safely hand over the two students to their respective families no positive actions have been taken up so far.

Though the government had claimed that two people involved in the abduction have been arrested, no further course of action has been initiated till this day, she alleged and added that the family members of the missing students have handed over the matter to the JAC.

She also appealed to the public to extend cooperation to any agitation launched by the JAC and help in finding the two students.

Premlata also recounted that Meiteis saved and handed over Kukis who were in trouble in the valley to the police.

However, it is very unfortunate that the Kukis have abducted the two students and provided any clues to their family members.

Though there could be an understanding between the Kukis and the government in future and the crisis resolved, but the manner in which the two student are being tortured by the Kukis will never be forgiven as a mother, she asserted.

Meira Paibi groups of different localities also organised sit-in protests on Thursday demanding rescue of Abhinash Maibam and Ningthoujam Anthony, and punitive actions against those responsible for kid napping of the boys.

Women vendors of Khwair amband Keithel under the aegis of Lukmai Sellup organised a protest at Ima Market during which a protestor slammed the government for its failure to locate whereabouts of the missing teens and rescue them even after arresting two suspects.

She demanded the government to rescue the two boys by sending in additional state security forces like it did in Moreh.

Sanakonung Meira Paibi Lup also organised a similar protest at Konung Mamang.

Students, teachers and non-teaching staff of Pitam-bara English School, Regular English High School and Ratankumar Memorial School organised protests in their respective premises.

Similar protests were also organised by Awang Kongpal Meira Paibi Apunba Marup, Netaji Memorial Club & Khulngak Lup Kongpal, Apunba Lilong Chajing Meira Paibi Lup, Lalambung Makhong Apunba Nupi Lup & Lalambung Takhellambam Maning Leikai Meira Paibi Lup, Konthoujam Meira Paibi Lup, Langjing Achouba Maning Leikai Meira Paibi Lup, Lam-jing Meira Women's Association, Western Club, Macha Ibemma Nupi Kanglup, Takyel Khongbal, Kounu Leima Chanura Lup Senjam Chirang, and Meira Paibi Lups of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak, Meino Leirak, Singjamei, Bamon Leikai, Uripok, Khurai Chaithabi Leirak, Khurai Salanthong and Malom Tulihal.

United Friends' Library & Club, Lamboi Khongnangkhong; Apunba Nupi Lup, Apunba Malom Meira Paibi Lup and Kangabam Leikai Apunba Nupi Marup also staged similar sit-in protest demanding the government to find the two missing teenage boys.

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