Residents of Salungpham Maning Leikai on Saturday convened a public meeting at SWYC ground and formed a JAC, decrying the killing of one Soibam Nanao, son of Nongyai from Salungpham Maning Leikai, Thoubal district by a stray bullet allegedly fired by 26 Sector Assam Rifles during the violence at Pallel.
Attendees at the meeting vehemently condemned the alleged excessive action of the Assam Rifles. The JAC held an in-depth discussion on the matter and took various resolutions. A convenor, co-convenor, publicity handler and 14 executive members were also unanimously elected during the meet.
Speaking to the media, JAC convenor Keisham Rana, condemning the killing of Nanao, highlighted the resolutions made by the JAC.
The resolutions include demands for conducting judicial enquiry into the incident; removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, registering FIR against 26 Sector Assam Rifles and the resignation of the Home Minister immediately, he said. Rana warned that JAC will not claim the body until their demands are fulfilled.
After the meeting, the public carried out a protest demonstration at Wangjing-Lamding market area. Protesters chanted various slogans such as ‘Stop Killing Civilians’, ‘Go back Assam Rifles’, ‘We are against the killing of civilians’, ‘Save Manipur from Kuki Narco Terrorists’ etc. during the sit-in.
Later, they marched towards the DC Thoubal office at Thoubal Athokpam to submit a memorandum. Representatives of the JAC met with DC Thoubal Ahanthem Subash and submitted the memorandum copy addressed to the Chief Minister to the DC.
The JAC also submitted copies of the memorandum to Heirok MLA Thokchom Radheshyam and Wangjing-Tentha MLA Paonam Brojen through the respective PROs.
It may be mentioned that in the aftermath of the heavy firing at Pallel on Friday morning, a mob attempted to make their way to Pallel resulting in an intense scuffle with the 26 Assam Rifles posted in the area. During which, one of the bullets allegedly fired by AR struck Nanao in his head.
He was immediately rushed to RIMS hospital for operation. However, he succumbed to his injuries around 7 pm on the same day.
Meanwhile, a JAC was also formed on Saturday against the killing of Yengkhom Jiten from Kakching, who was another victim of Friday’s Pallel incident.
The JAC submitted a memorandum copy to the chief minister, citing various demands including setting up a judicial enquiry committee and its notification latest by 4 pm of September 11, 2023, punishment of the involved personnel of 26th Assam Rifles, proper compensation to the bereaved family and providing government job to the next of kin of the victim and withdrawal of the 26th Assam Rifles from Pallel within 15 days.
The JAC warned that until their demands are fulfilled, they will not claim the body of Jiten.
