Loitam Richard Death: TMC demands CBI inquiry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2012: Joining a horde of student bodies, Trinamool Congress Manipur State unit has urged both the Government of Manipur and the Government of India to ensure that controversial death cases of Loitam Richard and Okram Laaba are investigated by the CBI.

The party also staged a protest demonstration at Khoyathong Keithel pushing for the same demand.

Among others, the protest demonstration was participated by Senior Citizens of Society president N Binoy, TMC president Kim Gangte, TMC MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi, K Saratchandra, Kh Joykishan, Kunjo Maibam and Th Bishwajit.

Talking to media persons, I Ibohalbi said that the protest demonstration has two purposes, first CBI enquiry into controversial cases of Richard and Laaba, and second, roll back of the hike in petroleum price.

Reminding that the Government of India gave repeated assurance to check discrimination of North East students in mainland India, Ibohalbi lamented that the Government of India has done nothing concrete to establish the facts and circumstances under which Richard was killed.

Noting that many student organisations have been agitating to deliver justice in both the cases of Richard and Laaba event to the extent of banning goods manufactured in Karnataka, Ibohalbi remarked that it is a grave mistake on the part of the Government of India and the State Government not to make their stance clear at the face of such agitation.

The Government should have the ability to foresee implications of such agitation for many Manipuris are still living in Karnataka just like many people from Karnataka are staying in Manipur.

Saying that the hike in petrol price by Rs 7.50 is a grave threat to the poorer section of the society, Ibohalbi demanded a roll back of the escalated petrol price in the interest of the poor mass.

Ibohalbi said that he was shocked on hearing the news about rape of a Manipuri student by a foreigner at Bangalore.

Kim Gangte too shared her sorrow on the controversial deaths of Richard and Laaba who were studying at Bangalore and Chennai respectively.

Students may protest after taking into account wish of the people and the Government should not do anything that goes against public interest, she asserted.

Informing that the two controversial death cases would be raised at the highest level, Kim Gangte said that TMC would investigate into the report about rape of a Manipuri student by an African at Bangalore.

Though TMC is a partner of UPA Government, the party cannot refrain from registering its protest when the price of petrol hiked nine times in a year.

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