Students of Manipur University staged a sit-in and burnt effigies of the prime minister, Manipur chief minister and governor in front of the university’s main gate on Monday condemning the heinous torture, rape and murder of six hostages which were abducted by Kuki terrorists on 11 November from the police station at Borobekra, Sub division in Jiribam.
Families and relatives of the six victims including 13-year-old Laishram Bang, grandson of the eldest victim Yurembam Rani, also took part in the protest.
It may be mentioned that the lifeless bodies of the six victims namely, Yurembam Rani Devi (60), T Thoibi Devi (31), T Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heitanbi Devi (25), L Chingkheinganba Singh (2 and a half) and L Langamba Singh (8 months) were reportedly recovered from Barak River recently. All six bodies were brutally tortured and murdered while the bodies of the female victims including the 8-year-old girl bore markings sexual assault and rape.
The sit-in was jointly organised by Manipur University Student Union (MUSU) and Jiribam Students Forum (JSF), Imphal.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of the protest, N Ibenoubi, daughter of Y Rani Devi, stated that the she met with the chief minister to ascertain the rescue operation updates after hearing news of the abduction.
“I pleaded the chief minister to rescue my mother and family but instead he redirected the matter saying he could not decide the fate of the hostages,” she said.
She expressed discontentment with the inaction of the government and maintained that the state government must be held accountable for their death.
I have no maternal family left because of their failure, she added.
(PHOTO: IFP)
As such, she demanded the authorities concerned to avenge the death of the innocent souls and punish the Kuki terrorists for their inhumane cruelty and murder.
Meanwhile, MUSU president Nongthombam Suraj stated that it was no use studying if students could not contribute for the betterment of society’s political and social well being.
“What is the use of studying as our state continues to burn in backdrop? What will be the use of our knowledge when we have no state left?” he asked.
He stated that the state’s prolonged upheaval was putting the students of Manipur through immense pressure and stress.
He expressed dissatisfaction with both state and central government’s inaction regarding the Manipur violence while also adding that the students were fed up with their “silence”.
The students will commence even more intense agitations if they continue such actions, he said.
On the other hand, president of Jiribam Students Forum Nameirakpam Chinglemba condemned the alleged inhumane killing of a protester at Jiribam Police Station on 17 November.
It maybe mentioned that the killing reportedly took place when SC of the station retd colonel Nectar Sanjenbam open fired upon the protesters killing one while injuring another.
As such he demanded immediate suspension of the colonel for his grievous actions.
