Mass protests continue against terror killings

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 10 : Aggrieved by the inhumane killing of Oinam Tomthin (5) and Oinam Yaisana (5 month) in a bomb attack at Tronglaobi on April 7, various organisations continued to stage protest demonstrations demanding accounta- bility and justice.
The protesters strongly condemned the killing of children and the subsequent indiscriminate CRPF firing which took the lives of three unarmed civilians and left multiple individuals with injuries.
The Thangmeiband Apunba Lup (THANIL) and COCOMI jointly organised a sit-in protest at Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai Panthoibi Shanglen today.
In the aftermath of the Tronglaobi tragedy, calls were raised by the protesters to uproot "Kuki narco terrorists" from Manipur while simultaneously pushing against the deployment of Central Security Forces in Manipur.
Speaking by the sideline  of the protest, THANIL president Laishram Gyaneshwari Devi strongly condemned the deadly Tronglaobi bomb attack which also left the children's mother, Oinam ongbi Binita, with splinter injuries and the civilian deaths and injuries caused by the CRPF firing.
Commenting on the ineffectiveness of the Government, she questioned how much more the common people should tolerate when even children sleeping in their own beds are killed in cold blood.
She urged the public to actively participate in the movements seeking elimination of "Kuki narco terrorists" and removal of Central Security Forces from Manipur.
Separately, the Young United Club and Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Meira Paibi  organised a sit-in protest at Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Meira Paibi Shed.
The protesters called for enforcement of NRC in Manipur and elimination of "Kuki narco-terrorists" from the soil of the State.
Speaking in this connection, Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Meira Paibi joint secretary Nongthombam Shanti urged the State Government to ensure that such heartbreaking incidents do not recur in Manipur.
Decrying the Tronglaobi attack, another protest was staged at Kakwa Naorem Leikai Sofa Leirak today organised by the Social Youth Development Organisation and Women Development Society.
The protesters raised various slogans highlighting their discontent with the prevailing situation.
Youths and meira paibis in and around Thoubal Sabaltongba also organised a meira rally along Thoubal-Mayang Imphal Road last night while similar scenes of womenfolk holding "meiras" were seen from Thongkhong Laxmi Keithel to Wangoi along Mayai Lambi.
Similarly, womenfolk of Phaknung Apunba Meira Paibi also staged a sit-in protest at Phaknung Mayai Leikai Community Hall.
In this connection, Phaknung Apunba Lup president K Salini declared that it will be unacceptable if the concerned JAC and the bereaved family reach an understanding with the State Government after receiving assurance for ex-gratia.
She assured that meira paibis and clubs of Phaknung will support any ensuing public movement that emerges due to such an "unacceptable" agreement.
The protesters also shouted slogans demanding befitting punishment for Kuki terrorists and resignation of the Chief Minister and Home Minister on moral grounds.
Demanding the arrest of the perpetrators behind the heinous Tronglaobi attack, womenfolk from nine localities of Kangmong gathered today to organise a sit-in protest.
The protesters shouted slogans such as "Punish the culprits" and "Don't kill us" among others with the participation of local village volunteers and children
A similar protest took place at Bashikhong Keithel staged by Meira Association Bashikhong and Bashikhong Nupi Welfare Association.
Condemning the deadly incidents, Bashikhong Nupi Welfare Association secretary Thokchom Chaibi called for dissolution of the "inefficient" State Government adding that people will face the Kuki terrorists themselves.
Maintaining that people have lost faith in the State authority, she further called for the withdrawal of Central Security Forces from the State.
The protesters wielded placards bearing messages such as "Killing innocent children is an act of cowardice by Kuki terrorists", "We condemn CRPF killings" etc.
Another sit-in protest was also organised at the gate of Gambhir Singh Memorial Complex at Langthabal by DMCC, Thawai Mirel, Langthabal Kunja Apunba Meira Paibi and Kwakeithel Apunba Meira Paibi Group.