Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 26:
What could ever compensate for the loss and mental suffering underwent when a responsible dear son of a family or a husband simply disappeared after the security forces picked them up ?, questioned Laishram Bisheswori, sister of Bijoykumar whose whereabouts had been never known after having picked up by security personnel.
Bijoykumar had been picked up by some security personnel from his house in the wee hours of June 5, 1996 and that was the last time his family members had seen him.
On the second day of the visit to families of the voluntarily disappeared persons jointly being organised by MAFYF and FIDAM in connection with International Day of Disappearance, Bisheswori recounted that on that fateful day some Army personnel knocked at the door at around 1 pm.
When Bijoykumar opened it, the intruding Army personnel pointed guns at the family members and told them not to come out while taking Bijoykumar along with them.
That was the last time they ever saw him.
Being the eldest son of eight children (four sons and four daughter) born to Laishram Babumacha and Laishram Yaima Devi of Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai, his parents and other family members had lot of expectation from Bijoykumar.
He was just 34 years old then.
Bijoykumar was tending a farm at Langol Laimanai to earn the income of the family.
He was also a former office bearer of AMSU.
After years of hardships and running from post to pillars seeking justice, Army authorities have given Rs 2 lakhs as interim relief in 2004 to the bereaved family.
A replica of involuntarily disappeared young man was made in Pangong and his last rites was performed in June this year.
In view of hardships that the family members have undergone in fighting the case, Bisheswori observed that Manipuri people should take a firm stand and fight collectively for the cause of involuntarily disappearanced persons from the custody of security forces.
Instead of taking recourse to agitation moves which might serve the purpose only for temporarily, it is essential to join hands and take recourse to such moves which could able to exert strong pressure.
The second and the last visit for the day was at the Yairipok Angtha residence of Yumlembam Arubi whose doting son Sanamacha never returned home after troopers of 17 Rashtriya Rifles picked up the boy on the night of February 12, 1998.After prolonged legal battle, the family have received Rs 3 lakhs as interim relief.
A student the local High School at Angtha Wairipok, Sanamacha was preparing for his final year examination when the security personnel picked him up.
'If my child was guilty, I would not have suffered so much', the heartbroken mother said, adding that she has lost all interest in life after the loss of her pupil of the eyes.
Sanamacha was the youngest siblings of four sons and five daughters born to the Yumlembam family.
'He was also the one who always help me', Arubi informed, who has not been able to reconcile to the fact that her son would not return home again and wait for him at the gate everyday.




