DMAF appeals to collective conscience of Nation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28 2023: The Delhi Manipuri Academic Fraternity (DMAF) has appealed to the collective conscience of the entire Nation (and the global community) to show their solidarity with the bereaved families of the two young innocent students murdered in cold blood by armed Kukis and the community in condemning such barbaric act.

Such acts of depravity need to be condemned regardless of the community of the perpetrators/victims, the academic fraternity asserted.

"Our Nation was rocked, and our sensibilities were shocked when the recording of two Kuki women (who were being paraded naked) went viral on social media on July 19, 2023.We had condemned in unequivocal terms the assault on the body and dignity of the two women.

The entire Nation (and the global community) too expressed the fiercest condemnation against such acts of barbarity", the DMAF reminded in a statement.

Expressing their deepest dismay at the continuing violence, threat to life, and breakdown of law and order situation in Manipur, DMAF has condemned in the strongest term the brutal killing of two young students, Hijam Linthoingambi (17 years) and Phijam Hemanjit (20 years), allegedly by Chin-Kuki militants.

The photograph of their dead bodies which surfaced on the social media on September 23, 2023, ascertained the abduction and killing of the two students.

This act of brutality must be collectively denounced, regardless of the background and community of the deceased, and must invite the strongest condemnation not only from the Meitei community but also from the entire Nation, it said.

"Disturbing news and pictures of State forces' (iron-handed) response to protesting students have flooded the (social) media.

We strongly condemn the shocking act on the part of the State machinery which - to diffuse students' mobilisation - has used lathis, tear gas, pellet guns, etc on the distressed children and youths of Manipur", it decried.

The State forces, instead of assuring and protecting the lives of these young people, on the contrary, have endangered their lives, it said.

Members of the Youth of Manipur (YoM) have travelled from Manipur to Delhi and have been staying at the New Delhi Railway Station, rejecting shelter or comfort, in solidarity with the numerous displaced and homeless people in Manipur, it remarked.

Disillusionment and helplessness have driven these youths from Manipur to Delhi to stage a protest against the ongoing violence in Manipur.

These youths have been staying at the railway station as a unique form of protest, highlighting the miseries and uncertainties of the people of Manipur.

They are looking for interventions from the right stakeholder(s), most importantly the Prime Minister of India, MLAs of Manipur, the Government officials, and the policymakers, it said.

The DMAF called upon the collective conscience of the people from all sections of the society and from all communities in Manipur (and beyond) to assist in the cessation of terror and violence in Manipur.

They also called upon the well-wishers and advocates of human rights to come out in full strength and in one voice - as they have always done on media and in person- and condemn the brutal killing of the two helpless students, regardless of the ethnic background of the victims.

It appealed to all the teachers to stand with the students of Manipur who are demanding for justice.

The DMAF also called upon all stakeholders to put an end to the bias with which the Meitei community has been victimised and villianised.

"We also urge the State and the Central authorities that the perpetrators of the crime should be given the sternest punishment at the earliest", it added.

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