Students' killing: Protests continue, SSUM gives stir call
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 04 2023:
Protest demonstrations demanding justice for Linthoingambi and Hemanjit and recovery of their bodies continued to be staged in various parts of the state on Wednesday.
The relay hunger strike called by Joint Action Committee against the Brutal Killing of Two Students, Phijam Hemanjit Singh and Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam by Kuki Militants continued for the second days at several locations.
In the relay hunger strike held at Hemanjit's birthplace Takyel Kolom Leikai, the first phase from 6 am to 12 noon was participated by 12 meira paibi activists of the locality, while in second phase from 12 am to 6 pm two meira paibi activists from Takyel Khongbal Lane 1 along with 23 women vendors of Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Co-Ordinating Committee For Peace joined the agitation.
In the third phase from 6 pm to 6 am, 15 men of the locality went on hunger strike.
Similarly, relay hunger strikes were held at Linthoingambi's locality Sagolband Tera Tongbram Leikai and at Sagolband Moirang Hanuba community hall, Tera Khamnam Keithel and Naorem Leikai Lairembi Mamang.
Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School also organised a candle light vigil as a tribute to Linthoingambi and Hemanjit, at the school premises on Wednesday.
During the candle light vigil participated by teaching and non-teaching staff and members of the students union authorities concerned were urged to handover bodies of the two students to their respective families at the earliest, exemplary punishment to the culprits as per the law of the land and stop use of excessive force by law enforcing agencies against unarmed agitating students.
Similar demonstrations were also organised by local organisations at Hayel in Imphal West, Keirak Yawabung Keithel community hall, Tera Keithel, Sagoltongba Awang Leikai community hall, Kambongput, Lamphel Yaipha Leikai, Konthoujam Makha Sabal Leikai community hall, Kangmong Manglak Crossing community hall and Yairipok Khoirom Makha Leikai community hall, Thoubal district.
Meanwhile, Socialist Students' Union of Manipur (SSUM) president S Yaima Meetei has urged all to continue the people's movement for Linthoingambi and Hemanjit until their bodies are recovered.
Meeting the media at Manipur Press Club on Wednesday, S Yaima called for hoisting of black flag at every locality to condemn government's inability to hand over the bodies to the victims' families.
Condemning the killing of the two students reportedly by Kuki narco-terrorists, he reiterated that though the suspects of the crime have been arrested but their bodies are yet to be recovered, hence till the bodies are handed over to the families the public cannot remain silent.
Yaima also appealed all to wear black badges at work to denounce the failure of the government to hand over the bodies of the two students.
He further opposed the shutting down of the schools by the government in the name of containing the students' protests, while cautioning that if the schools remain closed it will launch agitation of opening schools with support of the public.
Meanwhile, teachers and students of Delta Advance School (DAS) condemned the killing of the two students and demanded that the government to hand over their bodies to the respective families for performing last rites at the earliest, deliver justice to them and restore peace in the state.
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