Remains of Martin, Hubert laid to rest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 04: The mortal remains of Muheni Martin and Hrinii Hubert found murdered on March 27 as skeletal remains after they were kidnapped for ransom on December 14 last year were put to rest today at Senapati during a tearful funeral service.

The mortal remains of Hriini Hubert of Makhrelvi colony and Muheni Martin of Rikhumai Taphou village were taken to Senapati mini stadium amidst a large cortege.

Before that the mortal remains were first taken to their homes after the corpses were retrieved from Senapati police station at about 8:30 pm.

There customary religious rituals were performed.

Different facet of people paying their last respect to the soul of Muheni martin and Hriini Hubert in Senapati district

When the mortal remains were brought to Senapati mini stadium, a large crowd who have already assembled there received the corpses with loud wailing and heart-rending cries that shattered the morning calm of Senapati.

The gruesome murder of the two innocent kids have shattered the hearts of every mother and shocked the entire State.

Today's funeral service was organised by the Core Committee On The Two Missing Kids.

Leaders of United Naga Council, Naga Women Union Manipur, Naga Peoples Organisation, Senapati and scores of civil society organisations delivered the condolence messages at the funeral service.

The last rite was performed by Archbishop of Imphal Rev.Dominic Lumon.

Attending the funeral service, high-ranking civil and police officials of the State Government conveyed their condolence messages.

The funeral service was also attended by many public leaders, leaders of various civil organisations and a large number of school students to bid adieu to the departed souls.

In his condolence message, MLA K Ranjit expressed apprehension that the Manipuri nation may become extinct if innocent children are continued to be slaughtered without any remorse.

He called upon the people to extend sincere cooperation among the people to avoid such crimes in future.

Asserting that the State Government has been making all efforts to book all the accused involved in taking ransom and murdering the kids, Ranjit disclosed that the State Government has been urging the Centre to persuade NSCN (IM) hand over the suspects, presently in its custody, to the State Government.

MLAs M Oken, Dr M Loken, DD Thaisi, K Raina, M Thorii and former Minister Francis Ngajokpa also paid homage to the departed souls.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of the Core Committee Solomon Veino asserted that in order to unearth the truth and facts behind the murder, the issue should never be communalised or politicised.

The people should never give up and shy away from their campaign to deliver justice under intimidation and threats from the gang engaged in kidnapping and murdering innocent children, he said.

Reminding that people have been counting the deadlines set by NSCN (IM) and the State Government since March 29, he noted that all the people of the State have been eagerly looking forward to the UG outfit and the State Government to deliver justice in the shocking murder case in accordance to the assurances they gave to the people.

In case the people are unsatisfied with the separate investigations reports furnished by NSCN (IM) and State Government, the Committee will take up necessary actions against the State Government as well as against the UG outfit.

During the funeral service which was also participated by IG (LO-I) Dinokumar, SP Senapati and DC Senapati, leaders of UNC, NWUM, NPO, SDSA and SDWA spoke vehemently against the murder of innocent children.

What touched and broke the heart of every individual assembled there for the funeral service, was the paying of floral tributes by the classmates of Muheni Martin and Hriini Hubert and their emotionally choked prayer songs.

The senior students, teachers and staff of Don Bosco School, Senapati also paid their homage to the departed souls and read out their condolence messages.

To pay last respect to the departed souls, a contingent of Manipur Rifles also gave guard of honour to the kids.

After that, the bereaved families and the VIPs paid floral tributes to the departed souls.

At about 2 pm, the mortal remains of Muheni Martin and Hrinii Hubert were finally put to rest at a spot just opposite to the office of the Naga People's Organisation (NPO), located to the North of Senapati mini-stadium.

Addie Chiphang adds from Ukhrul: In order to obstruct devils barbaric handy work among our society over 5000 Ukhrulites participated in a silent mass sorrow walk today.

The public rally was organised by Hunphun Shanao Long (Ukhrul women's' Organisation/Union) & Hunphun Katamnao Long (Ukhrul students Union) which started from two opposite directions DC office Phungreitang and IOC Kharasom at 10 am and ultimately met for public assembly at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground Wino Bazaar.

Festoons and play cards reading "Life is to live not to be Killed"," Hriini and Martin Parents we are with you", "we want truth and Justice", "Time to punish the murderer" "Justice will prevailed, etc.

During the programme two minutes silence was also observed for the departed souls in respect and solidarity by all the congregation, with condemnation for the dastardly and heinous crime penetrated in our society .

Besides, the gathering public also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the DC Ukhrul.

The memorandum demanding justice by booking the killer of Hriini Hubert and Muheni Martin at the earliest and bring the rule of law in the state.

As appalled at the inaction of Manipur State Government in its failure to appropriate action against those responsible for the dastardly killing of innocent school boys and subsequently a great shock at the discovery of the remains on 27th March 2007.The memorandum further expressed concern at the failure of the Govt to bear any moral responsibility and accountability in solving the case and implored to initiate action to nab the culprit (s) at the earliest, issue a white paper on the case, adequate compensation to families of the deceased and to assure security to the public and avert such kind of incident in future.

Apart from the Memorandum the Public also resolved and declare to exile the culprits as in customary law.

Alung Lungsung, Convener NPMHR, Veronica Zingkhai, President HSL, Joyanti Keishing, Ex-President Tangkhul Shanao long and H.A.Vareishang spoked during the public meeting.

All the shops dawn their shuttle, Institutions, offices and all the daily work including inter buses & Vehicles cease to ply during the program which end at 02:00pm.