Hero of ILPS movement : Robinhood fondly remembered

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 10: Family members of Sapam Robinhood, who died in police action during a protest demanding Inner Line Permit System on July 5, 2015, as well as members of Robinhood Foundation and the JAC formed in connection with his death, visited Robinhood's memorial at Awang Ching today and paid floral tributes in his memory following the announcement that ILPS would be extended to Manipur.
After paying floral tributes, the people also raised slogans like 'Yelhoumee na yaiphare', 'Lamjing Meira Robinhood na yaiphare' etc.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the event,  the chairman of Robinhood Foundation, Ch Hemchand said that today, the family members and the JAC are overwhelmed by happiness and sorrow and added that even to this day, the pain and loss of Robinhood's death have not yet subsided.
Stating that the recent development has been possible because of the people's struggle for implementation of ILPS in Manipur, he lauded the move of the Central Government to extend such a system in the State and added that the final protection of the indigenous people from the influx of foreigners and outsiders now rests in the hands of the State Government and the people themselves.
On the other hand, the president of the JAC, RK Dhanabati said that the people off the State appreciate the announcement by the Union Home Minister in Parliament yesterday regarding the extension of ILPS in Manipur as it has been the long standing demand of the people.
The JAC president also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for ensuring the fulfilment of the people's demand.
However, she lamented that the memorial and its surroundings have not been maintained properly and appealed to the authorities concerned to do the needful at the earliest.
She also informed that Robinhood's family, his father Sapam Romesh, mother Sapam (O) RK Babita and brother Sapam Rahul, are currently in a sorry state.
After the event at Awa Ching, Robinhood's mother, his brother and JAC members met Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the CM's bungalow.