Imphal, December 13 2008: EX-MLA Laishom Ibomcha, who is known for his straight-from-the-heart-speech, has said that Manipur has become a killing field, there are no human rights and the keepers of law do not abide by the laws of the land.

The Ex-MLA, who recently left MPP and joined BJP, was speaking at the valedictory function of the four day photo exhibition cum compitition which began from December 10 organised by the Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS) in connection with the International Human Rights Day at the campus of the Manipur Central Youth Club, Keishampat.

Ex-MLA Ibomcha suggested that the exhibition of photos of human rights violations should be held all over Manipur.

He said, more than 200 people were killed in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai recently.

The government of India has announced payment of Rs 25,00,000 as ex-gratia for those killed.

But for those killed in the Ragailong bomb blast, the government of Manipur had announced only Rs 3,00,000 as compensation.

This is a glaring act of discrimination towards the people of the North Eastern region.

It shows that the people of NE are not seen as human beings.

Why AFSPA has not been imposed in Mumbai after the terror attacks, Ibomcha asked.

Who is worried about the future of Manipur even as youths are being killed daily, he further asked.

Judicial enquiries are useless.

A number of recommendations of judicial enquiries are being stuffed and tied up in gunny bags in the home department, Ibomcha said.

Former president of All Manipur Working Jounalists' Union (AMWJU) and chief editor of evening daily Kangleipakki Meira Wangkhemcha Samjai thundered that there is no unity amongst the indigenous people of Manipur.

As long as we are not united, we would never be able to protect human rights, he said.

He made an earnest appeal to the women's organisations to unite.

The civil society organisations should also give up personal ambition of earning fame, he said.

Chief editor of another evening daily Kangla Pao, P Ibochouba said, the phto exhibition vividly depicts the numerous incidents of human rights violations happening in Manipur.

When democracy has been gagged, where is the question of protecting human rights? Therefore, we must be united, Ibochouba affirmed.

Several other leaders of CSOs spoke at the function.

General Secretary of TIPS Tondon Moirang Asemcha placed the objective of organising the photo exhibition cum competition before the gathering.

In the photo compitition, Th Premchand, reporter of Poknapham won the first prize, Miss Babina of Imphal Free Press won the second, RK Bulu of Poknapham won the third and Kshetri Meghajit of Naharolgee Thoudang won the consolation prize.

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