RIMS massacre of 1995 recalled

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 7: The 25th RIMS Firing Victims Memorial Day was observed at the premise of RIMS firing victims memorial square, RIMS gate, Lamphelpat today.
RIMS Director Dr A Santa Singh, secretary of Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur State Branch and former Medical Superintendent of RIMS Dr Y Mohen Singh and managing trustee of RIMS Firing Victims Memorial Trust Laishram Meenabanta, attended the event as the presidium members.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr A Santa said that on this day, in 1995, nine innocent civilians were gunned down by CRPF personnel in-front of RIMS gate after some unidentified gunmen opened fire near RIMS.
Ever since then, the RIMS Firing Victims Memorial Trust has been observing the event every year at RIMS gate in honour of the fallen civilians.
On the other hand, Dr Y Mohen narrated that around 30 minutes after the firing, one CRPF personnel was brought into RIMS casualty. However, he survived and the other CRPF personnel mercilessly gunned down the innocent civilians in retialation.
Till date, no one has claimed responsibility for opening fire, he concluded, lamenting on the fate of the innocent people who were killed mercilessly by the security forces.
Those present in the event paid floral tributes to the photos of the nine deceased individuals, Momi Riba from Arunachal (a medical student), Md Zakir Hussain Phundrei from Thoubal, Laimayum Pradip Sharma from Brahmapur Aribam Leikai, Wangkhem Opendro Singh from Uripok Bachaspati Leikai, Saikhom Premchand Singh from Uripok Achom Leikai, RK Khogen Singh from Lalambung Makhong Takhellambam Leikai, Angom Devendra Singh from Phayeng Sabal Leikai, Toijam Rajendro Singh from Wangkhei Ayangpalli and Hijam Khogen Singh from Uripok Polem Leikai.