Many condemn cold-blooded murder of teenagers, brutal suppression of students' protest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 29 2023: The Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee (DMCC) has strongly condemned the heinous crime of cold-blooded abduction and murder of two innocent students, Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoinganbi, who had been missing since July 6, 2023 .

In a release, DMCC claimed that as per reports, the two students were abducted by armed Kuki militants coming in a Maruti Gypsy and they were brought to Zoujangtek Kuki village.

"The two students were tortured mercilessly by suspected Kuki Militants.

The boy was allegedly shot dead on July 8, 2023 and the girl was brutally murdered on July 11, 2023 after torturing and sexually abusing her in every manner.

Later on, their bodies were buried in Zoujangtek", claimed DMCC.

Many condemn cold-blooded murder of teenagers, brutal suppression of students' protest

The Committee also alleged that the mortal remains of the two students were hidden to prevent victim families from performing customary rites & rituals.

"It is unfortunate that Kuki organisations and individuals have endorsed the heinous crime by remaining silent and not cooperating in tracing the mortal remains", it added.

The DMCC has also strongly condemned the brutal repression of peaceful demonstrations carried out by students on September 26 and 27, 2023, demanding arrest of the criminals responsible for the cold-blooded murder and recovery of the mortal remains of Hemanjit and Linthoinganbi.

"We are pained and disheartened that while Kuki militants are protected under the Suspension of Operation to continuously perpetrate such heinous crimes, the Meetei who protested against such crimes have been targeted.

Such discriminatory designs favour Kuki militants and aggravate the situation", it added.

The Committee continued that instead of reconciling with the emotional outbursts and peacefully addressing the legitimate democratic demands, the law enforcing forces have used extreme brutality and excessive use of forces such as mock bombs, live bullets and banned pellet guns causing severe injuries to more than 60 student demonstrators.

The Committee also alleged that many girl students were manhandled by male security personnel and Central security forces indiscriminately fired tear gas and blasted mock bombs in residential areas, entered homes and harassed many innocent civilians.

"We condemned the concerned authority who have authorised such barbaric brutal repressions.

We held the legislators fully responsible for such brutality and questioned if they have any diabolic agenda.

We demand the Government to urgently arrest the culprits, recover the mortal remains, and stop repression on peaceful democratic protests", DMCC concluded.

Stating that the inhuman killing of two young souls Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit is heartbreaking, the Barak Manipur Friendship Association (BMFA) has strongly condemned the heinous crime committed by those people who have no basic humanity in them.

In a release, BMFA asserted that those responsible should be given a befitting punishment in accordance with the law of the land and the investigating agencies should nab the culprit at the earliest.

The association alleged that such an act cannot be committed by any 'Indian' national whatever their criminal mind set be but was committed as a part of pogrom designed by illegal immigrants intending to occupy and infiltrate the land of this great nation called 'Bharat' .

"We also understand and sympathise with our bright student community who have come out in large numbers in Imphal and adjoining valley area to protest against this ghastly act of these 'cowards'.

Our student community has all the right to protest against the happening and it is but only a normal process in democracy", it added.

Expressing great concern over the brutal force used by Security Forces to control the protest demonstration by students, BMFA alleged that the use of excessive force, as well as pallets guns, live bullets, that too from close range speaks volume of insensitivity and lack of strategic techniques by the Security Forces.

"We strongly condemn such ghastly action by security forces, and consider it as 'suppression of our basic democratic rights'.

Either the force is 'ill trained' to handle the situation or has 'ill intention' to suppress people's voices", it added.

BMFA appealed to both the Central and state Governments to introspect, investigate and compensate for the incident as well as ensure that such acts are not repeated upon any citizen of this country.

"Our heart goes out to those hundreds of students who have suffered at the hands of these ruthless forces and our deepest condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their two young souls.

We pray and hope peace prevails in the state of Manipur at the earliest", BMFA asserted.

The All Manipur Recognised Private Schools' Welfare Association (AMRPSWA), Imphal-Manipur, has also strongly condemned the brutal murder of two students and extended solidarity to the bereaved families.

In a release, AMRPSWA mentioned that the abduction and cold blooded murder of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit is a crime against humanity and every right thinking citizen should condemn the barbaric & inhumane act in the strongest terms.

AMRPSWA also appealed to the State Government to take necessary steps to hand over the bodies of the two students to their families and award befitting punishment to all the perpetrators at the earliest.

Denouncing the excessive use of force by Security Forces against students protesting the tragic murder, AMRPSWA cautioned that the association will not remain silent in the face of such brutality shown by the Security Forces which has left hundreds of young children seriously injured and hospitalized.

"Closing educational institutions and brutally assaulting young students will not bring any solution", said AMRPSWA while appealing to the State Government and others concerned to refrain from closing/ shutting down educational institutions in the future.

Meanwhile, students of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal today staged a sit-in protest demanding justice for Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoinganbi who were brutally murdered by Kuki militants at Iroisemba.

At the sit-in, the students expressed their disappointment over the negligence and failure of the State Government and authorities concerned to arrest the culprits involved in the cold-blooded murder so far.

They also denounced the oppressive action taken by the Security Forces against the students community protesting the murder of their fellow students and demanded the Government to take strong action against the wayward security personnel who are without any shred of humanity.

The students also displayed placards with the writings such as, "We want justice", "Justice is blind", "Naked pared- National issue, Killing innocent students- Silence", "No War, no Separate Administration, Just Peace", etc at the sit-in.

Besides, the Kwakeithel Apunba Meira Paibi Lup (KAMPL) has appealed to the all concerned to not stir up random chaos along Tiddim Road without proper reason on the pretext of supporting the movement for protection of State's integrity and harass innocent ongoers and create difficulties for the public.

In a meeting held on Friday, KAMPL strongly condemned the brutal murder of two innocent students and demanded the authorities concerned to recover the bodies of the two students and hand them over to their families at the earliest.

The Lup denounced the excessive use of force by Security Forces against student protesters and urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to prevent such acts of brutality in the future.

The Lup also appealed to all concerned to not participate in any public movement under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs during these crucial junctures.

Staff and students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Yaralpat, Imphal East today organised a condolence programme for the sad & untimely demise of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi by lighting candle and offering floral tributes to the portraits of the two students.

"We strongly condemn this killing and hope for a quick justice.

We also pray to the almighty to make the two departed souls rest in peace in his heavenly abode", said JNV Imphal East in a release.

Similarly, Iramdam Kanba Lup (IKL) has also strongly condemned the killing of two innocent students and demanded the Government to award befitting punishment to the perpetrators at the earliest.

In a release, IKL shared the grief of the bereaved families and prayed that the departed souls may rest in peace in the heavenly abode.