Protestors who disrobed at the historic protest before the Kangla Gate rejected the announcement of awarding pension to them by a civil body of Manipur, stating that it is an act of ‘insult’ to their sentiments.
On July 15 , 2004 as many as 12 imas (mother/elderly women) disrobed in front of the Kangla Fort (the then headquarters of the Assam Rifles) as a protest against the brutal killing of Manorama Thangjam after been picked up by Assam Rifles from her home. Of the 12 imas, three of them have already succumbed to their illness and old age.
Th Ramani, who was one of the 12 protestors, informed the media at Manipur Press Club in Imphal that an Imphal based CSO on October 26 had announced awarding a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 per month to the protesters.
Such an announcement without even consulting the nine protesters who are still alive is unfortunate, she said. “It is considered as an attempt to tarnish our image with money.”
“The incident of the brutal killing of Manorama after being picked up from her residence by issuing a warrant still haunts us and the flame of anger is still burning in our hearts,” said Ramani.
She stressed that their concern is safeguarding the rights of the people and the fight against imperialism, and called upon the concerned CSOs to clarify the matter at the earliest.
