Imphal, July 26 2009: The Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has strongly condemned the firing incident in the heart of Imphal on July 23 last which led to the lost of Thokchom Rabina, a pregnant woman's live and injury to others.

Terming the incident as unfortunate, a statement issued by the Coordinators of the WCAL, Sunil Karam, A Langdon and Phulindro Konsam also shared the pain and grief of the victims' and their families.

Attributing eyewitness and family sources, the statement pointed out that the incident was stage managed and the security personnel were responsible for the death and injured victims.

Quoting the same sources, it further stated that the person from Khurai who was killed in the reported encounter was also killed after taking him into custody.

The statement also lambasted the Manipur Assembly for commending the security personnel involved in the incident instead of facilitating the setting up of a judicial enquiry into the incident and punishment for the 'guilty' security personnel.

The WCAL statement also termed the Chief Minister's statement, who said that Rabina of Lamshang and the other five persons were killed and wounded by the bullets of the suspected underground, as deceiving, misleading, and misinforming the people.

The statement argued on the foundation that it was impossible for such small arm allegedly held by Chungkham Sanjit of Khurai to fire such numerous rounds and still several others remaining.

The statement also observed that the people are highly suspicious that the incident was one of the killing incidents in the state wherein the security forces leveled charges against 'innocents' after slaying them.

It also stated that now is the time for the people to establish the truth while also urging both the security forces and the underground groups to desist from opening gunfire at crowded places and to protect the lives and right to life of the people.

It also added that the demand for judicial inquiry into the incident by family members of Rabina and Sanjit to establish the truth is justified while also stating that the time also come to find the reality on the fake encounter killings unleashed by the state and paramilitary forces.

The statement also condemned the act of the security personnel in burning down houses and killing of domestic animals at Pumlenpat Chingjao village last month.

It also stated that it is very unfortunate to note that the CM denial of the incident which was given wide coverage by the state media.

It stated that protecting the guilty security forces instead of reprimanding them is nothing but a clear example of state sponsored terrorism.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident, the Rongmei Lu Phuam (AMN) draws the attention of all concerned that one of the injured victims of the indiscriminate firing, Mangal Golmei son of Lemba Golmei of Namching (Mahakabui) has been undergoing intensive treatment at RIMS Ortho ward needing assistances.

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