Imphal, July 31 2009:Joining other social organisations and Meira Paibi bodies, the Senior Citizens for Society has also demanded Judicial enquiry into the July 23 BT Road firing which claimed two lives and injured five people. Speaking to media persons today, president of the Senior Citizens for Society, N Binoy strongly condemned the Khwairamband Market firing which also claimed an unborn child in addition to the two adults.

He demanded that a Judcial enquiry should be instituted to establish the facts and circumstances leading to the firing. Binoy observed that opening fire indiscriminately at the busy public place, which killed two persons and injured five others, lacked rationality. The Government should come out with the facts whether it was the police commandos who fired indiscriminately or the suspected militant shot dead by police commandos, Binoy said. It was grievously wrong on the part of the police commandos to open fire indiscriminately in public places, thereby causing deaths and casualties in their attempt to over power a single militant.

He reminded that the foremost duty of police is to protect lives of citizens.

Likewise, insurgents should not open fire in public places for safeguarding people's lives is equally important to them. Questioning why the pregnant woman was not rushed to hospital immediately after she was hit by a bullet, Binoy alleged that the failure of the Chief Minister and the DGP to pay any respect to the dead woman was nothing short of denying due respects to innocent civilians.

Taking part in the press meet, vice-president of the Senior Citizens for Society Laishram Lalit observed that the killing spree being witnessed in Manipur could not bring any solution.

Weapons are not solution to the present issue, he added. The society's general secretary Prof Sadananda noted that the biggest and most serious problem being faced by the people of Manipur has been the acts of forfeiting their rights to live by armed actors. He exhorted the Government to check and control the acts of violation of law by those who are supposed to protect law.

Sadananda observed that there was no graver crime than violating the right to live of a person. Retired Col K Achouba said that asked the media to share greater responsibility in unearthing the truths behind the numerous case of human rights violation being witnessed in Manipur.

Secretary of the society, Khaidem Mani said that opening fire in public places is prohibited under Section 46 of CrPC.

He also demanded Judicial enquiry into the Khwai-ramband Market firing.

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