Fitting tributes paid to anti-AFSPA crusader

Our Correspondent
MOIRANG, Aug 16 : A large number of people today paid rich tributes to Pebam Chittaranjan, the anti-AFSPA crusader who self-immolated against the atrocities committed by security forces under the impunity guaranteed by the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of AFSPA 1958.
Commemorating the supreme sacrifice made by Pebam Chittaranjan to protect the right to life of all Manipuri people, the 20th Student Martyrdom Day 2024 was observed today at the Student Martyrdom Complex, Bishnupur under the aegis of the Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF).
In protest against the rampant and extreme human rights violation perpetrated by security forces under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA, Pebam Chittaranjan self-immolated at Bishnupur Bazar on August 15, 2004 and he died the next day.
A large number of CSO leaders and students offered floral tributes to the anti-AFSPA crusader at the Student Martyrdom Complex before a public meeting was held at Kyamba Shanglen, Bishnupur.
People also paid floral tributes to Pebam Chittaranjan at Bishnupur Bazar where he self-immolated and took his last step.
Speaking to the media by the sideline of the Student Martyrdom Day observation, MSF president Hijam Roshan said that  the Government of India’s discriminatory attitude is responsible for rampant human rights violations in Manipur.  
Wearing the cloak of sectarian and draconian AFSPA, security forces have been indulging in wanton human rights violation and atrocities across the State, Roshan said.
Even though AFSPA has been removed from some parts of the State, the outdated and inhumane law is still operational in many parts of the State, he said.
He also accused the Government of India of sowing seeds of distrust and division among the indigenous communities of Manipur.
Asserting that protecting Manipur is the responsibility of each and every indigenous community of the State, the MSF president  appealed to all the indigenous communities, “Let us stand united and work collectively to protect Manipur and safeguard its integrity.”
AMUCO president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur  president Soraisam Memcha, AMAWOVA president Yumkhaibam Kunjarani, COHR chairman Phulindro Konsam and MSF president Hijam Roshan were the presidium members of the public meeting held at Kyamba Shanglen.