Many join outcry against Salungpham killing

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 22 : Vehemently condemning the killing of a ‘village volunteer’ at Salungpham by police commandos, protest demonstrations were staged at different places today.
Apart from condemning the killing of the village volunteer, the protesters demanded unconditional and immediate release of all the village volunteers arrested by police and complete repeal of AFSPA 1958 from Manipur.
One such protest was staged at the premises of Andro Panam Ningthou under the aegis of All Andro Youth Club and Association and Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, Andro.
All Andro Meira Paibi Association president Chingkham (O) Umaswori  who took part in the protest said that village volunteers have been guarding vulnerable Meitei villages from Kuki terrorists.
The killing of such a village volunteer by police commandos ought to be condemned by one and all, she said.
Asking who would protect the innocent Meitei people if all the village volunteers are eliminated, Umaswori questioned if the Government has taken any responsibility for the vulnerable and innocent Meitei people.
All the MLAs who actually think for the people of Manipur must resign from the incumbent Government, she said.
A similar protest demonstration was also staged at Uchol Keithel.
Uchol Meira Paibi executive member Khundongbam (O) Geetarani alleged that village volunteer Laishram Prem was shot by police commandos after they took him in their custody.
She asked the commandos why they shot the village volunteer dead before questioning him properly.  
Amidst the protracted violence, people living in peripheral areas are suffering extreme misery, Geetarani said.
She then urged the Government to let the people live in peace with a sense of security.
Members of Poiroukhongjil Apunba Club and Meira Paibi joined the outcry against the Salungpham and staged a protest demonstration at Poiroukhongjil Mayai Leikai.
Poiroukhongjil Meira Paibi finance secretary Konthoujam Sanayai Devi reminded that youngsters who should be going to schools and colleges volunteered to protect innocent Meitei villagers when there was none to protect them from Kuki aggression.
Sanayai expressed strong disapproval against arresting and victimising village volunteers by the Government.
“Had the police commandos fought the Kuki narco-terrorists boldly, we, mothers, would have appreciated them”, she said.
Strongly condemning the reimposition of AFSPA in areas covered by six police stations, she demanded complete repeal of the draconian Act.
Huikap Ningthou Khul Marup, All Huikap Meira Paibi, YWA, YFC and YDA jointly organised a similar protest demonstration at Huikap.
Similar protest demonstrations were also staged at Yambem and Yairipok Top Chingtha.
Meanwhile, the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), citing the recent killing of a village volunteer at Salungpham, has asked if police commandos have resumed fake encounter killings.
According to a press release issued by KSA, sit-in-protests were staged at different places today condemning the killing of village volunteer and student Laishram Prem and demanding unconditional release of all the village volunteers arrested by police.
Denouncing the killing of the village volunteer and demanding immediate release of the arrested village volunteers, sit-in-protests were staged at Wangoi Keithel, Tera Keithel, Thongju Waikhom Khongnangkhong and Charangpat Mamang Leikai Laibung.