Silent protest held to denounce violence
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 15 2008: Clad in white mourning dress with a black ribbon tied over her mouth and holding a torch high with one hand while clutching her child closely to her chest by another hand, Shakhenbi stood as a symbol of victims of violence and gun culture in Manipur.

Shakhenbi is none other than the widow of L Debendra of Khurai Lamlong whose life had been cut short in his prime in the terror attack of bomb blast that occurred on the night of October 21 near the village gate of Ragailong.

In all 17 persons were killed while several others injured in the attack which has been denounced by many as an act of terrorism.

Debendra was among those killed in the said terror attack.

Womenfolk at the protest cum mourning of Ragailong blast perpetrators/victims on November 15

Participating in a silent agitation against bomb blasts, indiscriminate firing and other inhumane acts held at the conference hall of Manipur Voluntary Health Association here today, 27-year old Shakhenbi said, 'It is unbearable to think over the death of my innocent husband in the bomb blast.

Many women like me whose husbands have been claimed in the prevailing gun culture may be feeling the same pang and anguish.

I just wish such cruel incidents do not recur at all'.

She further said 'If killing many innocent people by triggering bomb blasts could bring about independence of the State, let me and my two surviving little children also be killed.

The hope of the children and the family has been lost after the bomb blast incident at Ragailong''.

Recounting the horrible incident, with tears brimming up her eyes Shakhenbi said that she could never believe that her husband, Debendra would have been present at the site of the blast.

Because Debendra was running a small grocery shop to sustain the family.

'He loved to play hockey and chess....', Shakhenbi said of her husband before she broke down.

When she regained her composure, Shakhenbi uttered, 'I don't know what to do now with my two little children'.

Gambhini, mother of Debendra, who was also present at the occasion, said that incidents of triggering bomb blast in public places, indiscriminate gun firing and bomb attacks at private residences and killing of people after being arrested or without any trial have caused lot of suffering to many families.

Many families who were leading a peaceful life are now groping in the dark not knowing what to do, Gambhini added.

Marked by observation of silence for two minutes and lighting up of torches, the silent agitation was organised by Women Action for Development in collaboration with other NGOs, POs, CBOs, etc of Imphal East district.

A signature campaign against the prevailing gun culture was also conducted at the event attended by other family members of the victims of the Ragailong blast.

As a sign of protest, the participants tied black ribbons across their mouths and put their signatures on a large white cloth on which numerous slogans like 'Peace cannot be kept by force, It can only be achieved by understanding', 'Let us change Economic Blockade to Bomb & Gun Blockade', 'Use words, no weapons', 'Killing makes no sense, Love is the answer', 'Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is a progress & working together is a success', 'There never was a good war nor a bad peace', etc were written.