Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 07:
Emotional scenes prevailed when family members, friends and well wishers offered floral tributes to remember the 1995 RIMS Hospital massacre on the occasion of the 10th anniversary today.
Speaking as the chief guest, nominated councillor of Imphal Municipal Council Chongtham Radha Singh recalling the indiscriminate firing of CRPF personnel leading to the death of nine civilians including a medical student struck an emotional chord stating that life in the violent infested State still remains uncertain.
Remarking that killing of innocent persons in retaliatory action by security force personnel have become a common trend in Manipur, he appealed to all underground outfits to desist from attacking security personnel in crowded places.
Moreover, the chief guest also appealed to the security force personnel to refrain from targeting civilians in any gun fight.
Delivering the presidential address, Manipur Sahitya Parishad president Nongthombam Kunjamohan Singh attributing excesses of security force due to immunity granted by Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 called upon the people to stand unitedly in demanding scrapping of all repressive Acts.
He also desired that members of the Apunba Lup work out their differences in the interest of the general public and carry forward the agitation and the demand to repeal the Act.
The anniversary observation was jointly organised by the Young Physiques� Union, Lalambung Makhong and Lamphel Self Employed Auto-van Owners� Association.
It may be recalled that on this particular, day ten years back, CRPF personnel attached to the hospital rounded up a number of people and opened indiscriminate fire killing nine persons instantly while many others suffered bullet injuries.
The incident occurred after a CRPF jawan was shot at by unidentified gunmen.
Barring the lone medical student from Arunachal Pradesh, the other victims consisted of auto-rickshaw and rickshaw pullers and taxi drivers.