Landhoni ends fast, but protest still on
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 28 2011: Moirangthem Ningol Khoirakpam Ongbi Landhoni has suspended her fast but her protest against the 'unjustified' detention by National Investigation Agency (NIA) is still on, general secretary of All Manipur Women Reformation and Social Development Samaj Th Ramani has informed.

Announcing this at a press conference in the office of the Samaj at BOAT, Palace Compound here today, Ramani said that a team of women representatives from Manipur prevailed upon Landhoni to give up her fast in consideration of her children.

Landhoni was taken into custody by NIA when she went to meet her husband Khoirakpam Jiten alias Khomba, an alleged UG, at Guwahati Central Jail on August 18, 2010 .

Since then she too has been lodged in the same Guwahati Central Jail.

In protest against her detention, which she said is unjustified, Landhoni launched a fast unto death agitation into the jail since March 8, 2011 .

Ramani informed that a team of women representatives from Manipur including president of All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup Ph Shakhileima, president of All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Lup S Momonleima, president of Universal Mothers' Organisation M Sorojini and herself had gone to Guwahati Central Jail to meet Landhoni on April 24.On the following day, the women representatives met Landhoni with the permission of the Jail authority.

During the meeting, the women representatives tried to prevail upon Landhoni to give up her fast in consideration of the suffering that her children would go through in case anything happened to her.

''Hearing the advice, Landhoni said with tears that even if it is a good advice, she felt that the injustice meted out against her makes her to forget everything and fight for justice'', Ramani recalled.

On April 26, the women representatives visited Landhoni again in the Guwahati Central Jail to prevail upon her to break her fast.

''Like a child sulking against his/her parents, Landhoni went to bed.

It made our heart melted.

Following persistent cajoling, at long last, Landhoni agreed to break her fast after 50 days and we fed her putting morsel into her mouth'', Ramani informed, adding that Landhoni took the stand only after persuading for over two days.

''As mothers, we are happy that Landhoni has listened to our advice and break her fast.

But Landhoni is still in protest against her arrest and detention by NIA inspite of an earlier Court order declaring her innocent and set her free'', Ramani added.

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