INDIA Bloc leaders visit bereaved families

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 21 : A team of INDIA Bloc leaders today visited the residences of three Meetei civilians who were killed by Kuki militants at Khongbal Sunurok Uyok near Nongshum village under Sagolmang police station in Imphal East district and heard the grievances of the bereaved families.
The team led by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Okram Ibobi included Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader K Meghachandra, Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar,  INDIA Bloc, Manipur convenor Kshetrimayum Shanta (CPI-M).
It also included Sarat Salam of CPI-M, former Ministers Moirangthem Okendro, Akoijam Mirabai, Dr Kh Ratankumar, Moirangthem Hemanta and Dr Khwairakpam Loken, former MLAs Fajur Rahim and Md Amin Shah, and representatives of the AAP, NCP, Forward Bloc, RSP, AITC and Shiv Sena (UBT).
During the visit, the team conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased viz Kshetrimayum Sushil of Uyumpok Mamang Leikai and Arubam Ronil and Lairenlakpam Inaobi of Nongshum.
The bereaved families expressed dissatisfaction with the Government for failing to protect lives and allegedly failing to rein in Kuki armed groups and their associates.
During the visit, Sushil's father, Deben, broke down inconsolably, saying that collecting firewood, working in paddy fields and doing other menial jobs are the only means of earning a livelihood for people living in foothill areas.
Stating that they are now afraid to venture into paddy fields or go out to collect firewood, he questioned how they would survive under such circumstances.
Family members of Sushil said that his four-year-old daughter often asked where her father was, leaving them at a loss for words.
They urged the Government to provide adequate security to people living in foothill areas.
"We don't want to live like sacrificial lambs," they said.
The family of Arubam Ronil also questioned how long they would have to continue living under such circumstances.
Despite repeated assurances from the Chief Minister that movement in the hill districts has been restored, people living in foothill areas are still being attacked and killed, they said.
Women from the area, on the other hand, urged the Government to deploy MPA cadres at Nongshum, as was done in the past, to protect the residents.
Speaking to the media after the visit, former Chief Minister Ibobi said that the INDIA Bloc strongly condemned the repeated attacks on civilians, which had resulted in the loss of lives and caused immense suffering to people.
Different communities in Manipur have been killing one another instead of working together to safeguard the State, forgetting that death is inevitable for every human being, he said.
Stating that law and order has completely collapsed in the State, Ibobi called for collective efforts to stop the bloodshed.
The Congress leader said the Government must take strong action against Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact if their cadres were found to be involved in the killing of three civilians who had gone to collect firewood at Sunurok Uyok on Monday.
He further said that Kuki armed groups found to have violated the SoO framework must be removed from the pact.
Ibobi also said that the INDIA Bloc would extend all possible assistance towards the upbringing of the children left behind by the deceased.
Lokeshwar, on the other hand, claimed that the three deceased had gone to collect firewood to earn money to support their families after obtaining permission from the Assam Rifles personnel stationed in the area.
However, they were mercilessly killed by Kuki armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, he alleged.
The Congress MLA said that he would extend all possible assistance in raising the three children left behind by Sushil and ensure they grow up to become responsible individuals.
He also claimed that the attack can only be carried out by cadres of the KLA and KNA, as no other group could access the area.
Only 17-18 Kuki militants were found stationed at Sinai camp during a search operation conducted by security forces, although the camp was supposed to house around 90 cadres, he alleged and questioned the whereabouts of the remaining cadres and their weapons.
Questioning why the Government is not taking action against the Kuki armed groups, Lokeshwar asserted that Sinai camp must be abolished.
He further claimed that most of the cadres stationed at Sinai camp are from Myanmar.
A Kuki leader had flagged the presence of armed Kukis from Myanmar who did not understand the Manipuri language at Sinai camp following the Khamenlok massacre, he said. The Congress MLA questioned why the Government had failed to monitor the camp.