Imphal, November 18 2008: Taking strong exception to the killing of the Imphal Free Press junior Sub-Editor Konsam Rishikanta yesterday, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has strongly condemned the killing.

Observing that the people of Manipur have been shouting and protesting against both the State and non-State actors' turning their weapons to the common people, harassing them and killing people without trial, AMUCO lamented that despite the strong and persistent voice of the people, there is no let-up in violence, killings and atrocities.

Peace and security entitled to a citizen of a welfare State still remain a far cry for the people of Manipur.

Only security personnel and politicians guarded rounded the clock by security personnel are safe in Manipur whereas the lives of common people are highly insecure.

The United People's Front (UPF) has also condemned the killing of Rishikanta.

In a press release, the UPF said that it seemed too harsh to award death penalty to any media person who had been disseminating information to the public.

The bereaved family would have been certainly grateful had he (Rishikanta) been given any chance to correct himself even if there was any mistake on his part.

Condemning the killing of Rishikanta in the same vein, HERICOUN has appealed to all concerned to come up with an explanation for the killing.

Observing that killing a media persons without giving any reason has put the society in a more critical situation, HERICOUN called upon all to fight collectively against the practice of making false accusations after killing people.

While condemning the killing of Rishikanta by unidentified persons yesterday at Langol, the ACOAMLup, Kangleipak observed that the act was a frontal attack to the freedom of press.

With an earnest appeal to all concerned to stop the rampant killing of each other, the Universal Mothers' Organisation (UMO) has condemned the killing of journalist Rishikanta.

Joining the condemnation chorus, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) asserted that the killing of Konsam Rishikanta (25) s/o K Budhi of Ningomthong Sairom Leirak should be condemned by one and all.

CORE further appealed to the Government to conduct an enquiry and to award befitting punishment to those found guilty.

Strongly condemning the killing of Rishikanta, the All Manipur Govt Higher Secondary Lecturers' Welfare Association has urged upon all armed individuals/groups to stay away from killing media persons.

A special meeting of the All Jiribam Working Journalists' Union convened today has also condemned the killing of Rishikanta in the strongest term.

It also pledged unstinted support to any step taken up by AMWJU in this regard.

The AMADA has also condemned the killing of Rishikanta.

While sharing the pain and anguish of the bereaved family, AMADA asked all those involved in the killing to explain their act to the public.

Others who have come out strongly against the killing of Imphal Free Press Junior Sub-Editor Konsam Rishikanta include CPI(M), Manipur State Committee, the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF), SFI Manipur State Committee, Democratic Youth Federation of India Manipur State Committee, AISF Manipur State Council, Threatened Indigenous Peoples' Society (TIPS) Manipur, Integrated Rural Development Service OrganisationIRDSO, Centre for Social Development, Women Action for Development etc.

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