Horrific ordeal of a civilian as he suffered torture from both UGs and security forces

Testimony of Sh. Leimakhujam Kokullo Singh

I, Sh. Leimakhujam Kokullo Singh aged about 47 years, S/O Sh. Leimakhujam Kulachandra Singh, R/O Haorang Keirel Leikai, P.O. Patsoi, P.S. Patsoi, District Imphal West, 795003, presently residing at temporary plastic makeshift tent at Sanakeithel Market, Lamphelpat, Imphal East District, selling seasonal fruits along with my wife. I have one daughter, Miss Purnima, 15 years old reading in class VIII at Lalambung Government School.

I was a normal person living a healthy and happy life with a beautiful wife and daughter. However, life took a drastic change with the two unforgettable moments of my life. These incidents took away my normal physical posture and turn me into a physically challenged person which I have to live with it for the rest of my life.

The first incident took place in the year 1993. I went to Tamenglong for some work and on returning, I was celebrating a small party with my friends at my house. After the party we went to our gate, I saw a parked vehicle and I prompted to my friends that the vehicle might get hit by the bullock cart parking in the darkness. I was little rude in my tone as I was inebriated. Few people, suspected to be militants, were sitting in the darkness and they replied back so, we had an altercation. I threatened them and tried to set the vehicle on fire. My friends and relatives came out on hearing the altercation and stopped me from setting the vehicle on fire. We were pacified and they went away. After a lapse of 15 days on 3^rd July 1993, several armed persons, suspected to be militants belonging to the valley groups, came to our house at night and called me out at the gate. My father ran after me and begged them to spare my life. One of the people pushed my father and hit him with the rifle butt severely on his left lower back which made him paralyze for the rest of his life.  I was dragged out at the gate then one of them took out a gun and shot me on my right thigh at very close range. They disappeared after finishing their job.

I went for treatment several times with three major operations and failed to undergo the fourth and final operation where they were suppose to remove the bullet lodged inside the bone. The fourth operation failed due to financial difficulties. The operation and injury severely affected my right leg and made me a cripple. I know I am ruined as I was not able to go out for earning. I had no option, so I started earning from vegetable gardening at home with my wife and daughter. Life went on with great difficulty and my daughter was at home helping us without going to school due to financial constraints.

The second incident took place in the year 2010. On 3^rd August 2010, I was returning home with my wife and elder sister from Lilong around 3-4 p.m., (we went for medication of my sisters broken right hand), on a passenger auto rickshaw. We were stopped by the Army near Patsoi Police Station, all the male passengers were frisked and released except me, and I was told to board their vehicle gypsy without issuing arrest memo. I was blindfolded and taken to Patsoi Police station nearby. They asked several times to which group of insurgents I belong. The Manipuri speaking army dictated several names and asked me if I knew anyone of them. I disagreed I had no idea or connection with insurgents. My mobile was seized and later when I received a call from my brother, they prompted me to tell the caller I was in the market place in Imphal. I had no idea what their motive was behind.

They took me inside the adjoining room, made me lie on the floor, my hands and legs were tied and a huge log of wood was put under my neck. They started pouring buckets of water on my face and shouted how I helped the KCP (MC). I remained silent as I had no idea about their questions. The torture of pouring water went on for several hours (2-3 hours). I suffocated, swallowed plenty of water and suffered in silence. They made me sit in the dry area for few minutes and told me to reveal all the activities of KCP (MC).

I refused to give any information, so I was put in the room for the second time and they continued pouring water. One of them slapped me and plenty of water went inside and I started vomiting. I felt so terrible and dreadful, I felt I will never come out of this and live again with my family. Again, I was made to sit in the dry room and for the third time they started pouring water on my face for revealing information. However I refused to give information which I didn’t know. They continued asking where I deliver arms and ammunition for the insurgents.

Next, one of the army tied electric wire on my second toes of both the feet while I remain lying on the floor and electrocuted me. I lost my consciousness and whenever I regain my consciousness I was electrocuted again. The electrocution went on repeatedly three times and my condition became very dreadful. I felt so painful and horrible I completely lost my consciousness. They had no sympathy over my impaired limbs and tortured me so brusquely; I never knew I would come out from their confinement.

When I regained my consciousness, I was lying on the floor, hands and feet still tied and eyes blindfolded. I noticed that the cloth they had used for blindfolding me was my own white vest which was all stained with my blood from the torture. I could feel I was lying somewhere outside and my battered body was half covered with a sheet of cloth. I felt pain all over my body and with a slight move I could severely feel the extreme pain. Behind me the clock struck 4 am. I started imaging that they will finally release me as they had stopped the torture and interrogation and since they were not able to divulge any information from me. One of them brought some food and forced me to eat, I refused to eat as I was tied and suffering painfully. He forced me and said if I refused to eat, I would be killed. I was forced fed three to four mouthful of food. Out of fear and panic, I swallowed the unpleasant food with great difficulty.

On 4^th of August 2010, S.I James of Nambol Police Station came in the morning around 6-7 am along with his subordinates and hit me where I was lying. They asked what I knew about the KCP (MC). They hit me on my neck 4-5 times, folded back my hands and feet roughly like breaking a twig and left hastily. I overheard them telling the army, they had tortured in a wrong manner and therefore I was not able to reveal any information.

They again interrogated and asked which group I worked for and which arms they should use in order to kill me. They left me in this position till 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Then, I was lifted from my shoulder by two army men (as I was too frail and pathetic from their torture) and put me inside the vehicle gypsy. They took me around for a while and I developed the fear that I would definitely be killed on false account of being an insurgent. I was blindfolded, however I could feel they were driving towards Khumbong and were driving without destination. The captain of the army got down from our vehicle and through the wireless operator asked what they should do with me in Hindi. Then as if heeding the instruction we drove towards Nambol. Two army men lifted me from the shoulder and dragged me towards the PHSC of Nambol. I nearly fell when they made me walk alone; one of them kicked from behind with his heavy boots and instructed me to walk straight and properly to look fit and fine. Two young ladies doctor were present at health centre and the army instructed them to medicate me quickly and not mention or write in the subscription about the injury on my body. The two doctors refused flatly and called the Nambol police station. Few policemen turned up and gave the same instruction to the doctors not to mention on the prescription about the injury and instead they should write that the person was in good normal health.

Thereafter, we returned to Patsoi Police station and the I.O Sh. Ibochou Singh on seeing my condition told the army I was not in good health and around 7-8 p.m. took me to Regional Institute of medical Sciences at Lamphelpat for medical examination. I was medicated with few medicines and was in the custody of the police for the night.

Next day I was interrogated again and made me narrate my life story from the day I was born to my parents (without forgetting any events) till the moment I was apprehended by the army. They never stopped asking for which insurgent group I belong. I was afraid they would kill me all the while I was in their custody. I was not tortured however the apprehension of what was going to happen remained on my mind. I had to be careful and clear in answering their questions remained on my mind all the time. They even clicked my photograph with a plate mentioned that I belong to KCP (MC) group of faction.

Next day, i.e. on 6^th August 2010, I was taken to CID office and the same process of interrogation and narration of my life story continued and was conducted by the CID agents. They also repeated the same question- “for which insurgent group I belong”. I narrated the same story as was told to the police the previous day. My narration was same as was told to the police. Meanwhile the anxiety and anxious feeling of being tortured again and going through the moment of suffocation from pouring water and electrocution remains inside me throughout the time. I saw people being tortured and their screams and shouts rings inside my head all the time I was in their interrogation cell. I was relieved when they took me back to Patsoi police station. I thanked to God for saving me from their torture and harassment. The spirit that I may be released from their custody developed within me. My answers to their queries were same so I might be released again to reunite with my family, contained within me.

My injuries were still paining and my face was swollen. My wife and my elder sister visited me with home-cooked food. They were so remorse to see my battered and worn out situation, we were all speechless and helpless and we all cried together. I was not able to face them, I felt so ashamed and guilty. The army had tortured me with no concrete reason and my family members were all afraid and troubled for my dear life. I came to know from my wife, that, with the help of Human Rights organization, on the day I was captured, they had telecasted on ISTV about my arrest and disappearance and where I was taken away quietly.

I kept on recalling my family members at home during the ordeal; I could not do anything to the army and the police as well. Without any reason they have tortured to their hearts content and made me more helpless and impaired. In order to control my anger and hatred I felt like taking revenge, however, I am not young anymore, I have a wife and daughter to look after, so I need to control my anger and remain silent and somber.

On 7^th August 2010, I was taken to Kangla for interrogation. I was blindfolded on the way. The same process of interrogation and narration of my life story continued and repeated the same question- “for which insurgent group I belong”. I narrated the same story as was narrated on previous two days. My narration was same as was told to the police and CID. Then I was taken back to Police custody.

On 8^th and 9^th August 2010 I was taken to Cheirap Court for appearance before the Magistrate. I was freed on 9^th August 2010 and the Magistrate told me I don’t have to appear before the Court again as my case is not binding on any ground. I was very happy. After the release, I went home with my family members, offered prayers and went to RIMS for medical checkup at the casualty.

The post torture days were spent with great difficulty. I developed complications in breathing; my right impaired leg was paining excessively owing to electrocution and my body ached owing to repeated beating and torture. Before I was able to walk without the help of walking stick, however, after the torment, it has become my second friend. I remained bedridden for 2 months without any income. My father suffered grievously owing to my condition. He could not sleep at night and the rest of the family members were afraid throughout the night. Nights are supposed to be for taking rest, however in our case we were restless, petrified and alarmed what was going to happen. The intuitions that the army might appear again take me away and might undergo the same process of beating and torture, arise almost all the time. I don’t want to stay at home fearing the army. Seriously, I don’t want to go through the suffering and agony I had endured during the custody. I could go away for work but the anxiety of what will we answer if they happen to come and arrest me while I am away for work, made me extremely perturbed.

Even so, I gathered courage thinking for my daughter and decided to venture out for earning money. My daughter had stopped going to school due to financial constraints. I decided with my wife to sell vegetables and fruits. Now, we are selling seasonal fruits at Sanakeithel, Lamphelpat. Since it is far from our house, we are residing at the temporary make shift tent covered with plastic sheet at the market area. It is horrible when it rains but I cannot move freely owing to my heath constraints. I looked after the fruits at night and my wife goes home sometimes and she has to collect the fruits from the retailer for selling in our vendor. My daughter has started her education once more and studying in standard VIII at Lalambung Government High School.

Life has to continue with so many constraints and complications. My memory very often reflects back at the horrendous incidents. The consequences have simply put my life to so many limitations. I am not normal human being anymore. The anxiety, fear on seeing the army and police, the apprehension of being arrested again, uneasiness at night –all these fear psychosis prevail over me and family all the time. The phobia shall remain for the rest of my life.

Note: This case was filed before the National Commission on 3^rd August 2011 as per the advice from Mr. Y. Laba through on line.

Husband killed by unidentified persons

     Testimony of Smt. Chingsubam(O) Memoria Devi

I, Smt. Chingsubam (O) Memoria Devi aged about 27 years, W/O (L) Sh. Chingsubam Onil Singh, R/O Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, P.S Lamphel, Imphal West District, 795001, would like to testify the happenings of the day my husband was taken away by unidentified gunmen from our residence on 1^st April 2007.

My son Yaiphaba, was 14 months old when my husband was killed by the unidentified youths. Now, he is six years old reading in Class UKG at Kids Corner School, Chingmeirong. I earn my living by weaving traditional silk wrap around along with my mother-in-law in our house.

My husband was an innocent person when he was alive. He was dealing in contract work and also worked as overseer along with the contractor. We belong to a peaceful and happy family with no major problem. He loves me and our son very much and we lead a beautiful life. The reason leading to his death is related to the fight which occurred on the day our locality celebrated thabal chongba. My husband was defending one of our locality girls while she was talking to some boys from other locality(Outsiders), in the darkness. He objected their behavior and advised them to talk in the illuminated area, which infuriated the boys and a fight ensued. Our locality boys joined the fight and the outsiders were beaten up and they received injuries. My husband also received injuries.They went away enraged promising revenge to my husband.

On 1^st April 2007, two- three days after the thabal chongba, two unidentified gunmen came to our house around 9:00 p.m. and called out my husband while he was watching television along with our family members. I was in the kitchen doing household chores. One of our relatives informed that my husband has been taken away and I got anxious and started trembling.  We followed them and from far we saw them walking away. Our family members immediately followed them, however, they had left by vehicle. We looked for them everywhere and could not locate them. I was helpless and not knowing what to do I start crying. Nothing came on my mind and I became totally confused.  I was very anxious over the situation.

Late in the night around 11 p.m. one local man of Thangmeiband came and informed me that my husband, Onil has been shot and lying at the Goverdhan ground at Thangmeiband. He informed us that he had multiple bullet injuries and was bleeding profusely. I fainted on hearing the news. When my relatives reached the spot, he had already been taken to RIMS Hospital. We learnt that one person had wrapped him with khudei on his chest and stomach and taken to the Hospital on foot as nobody agreed to lend their vehicle. He was alive when they reached the Hospital, however he died due to excessive bleeding. According to the post mortem report he was beaten brutally before receiving bullet injuries on the chest, stomach and right portion of the hip. He died in the midst of the night at 12 a.m. The report showed my husband died owing to excessive bleeding.

We did not collect the dead body from the morgue for three days, however, our family decided it was not worth to agitate as the person who killed my husband were neither identified nor arrested. My family collected his body on the fourth day and the last rites were performed. The police were not able to trace the accused persons and no magisterial enquiry was also conducted. We do not have strong connection to pursue our case. I doubt the unidentified persons who were involved in killing my husband were those youths who had triggered fight on the day our locality celebrated Thabal Chongba. We learnt that the night my husband was taken away from our house, in the afternoon, two youths on Kinetic Honda were lingering near the community hall for a long time. Nobody realized or doubted they were keeping an eye on my husband’s movement.

My life took a drastic turn after the death of my husband. I felt like committing suicide and my health deteriorated extremely. I could not eat properly for a long time and think clearly. I lose all the hope of living a normal life. My family members were worried about my health and for my son who is just 14 months old.  Everyone begged me to think for my young son who is in dire needs of my care and love. I realized that I have to be strong and live for the sake of my son and make him happy. My son needs my love and affection and I have to take the role of both being a father and mother. I have to live a better life instead of shadowing myself with grief and sorrow. I joined e-pham which is an organization of widows killed in the armed conflict. I met several other widows whose husbands were killed by the army, Police Commando and unidentified gunmen in the organization. Whenever we gather for meeting we share our stories, interest and other activities that will benefit for our children and for ourselves. I have developed stronger self confidence and the spirit to live a better meaningful life after meeting the other widows. I do not have good health, the stone inside my kidney bothers me often with acute pain and reduces my stamina to complete the daily activities. I have to live with it till I arrange the required money for removal of the stone. All my family members are good to me and my son, I am glad I am living with a good family who understands my situation.  

Two sons of a mother,killed by state and non state actors

Testimony of Smt. Pebam (O) Kumudini Devi

I, Smt. Pebam (O) Kumudini Devi aged about 64 years, W/O (L) Pebam Pakchao Singh, R/O Kwakeithel Lamdong, Imphal West District, 795001, would like to testify the unforgettable moments of losing my eldest son in the hands of Police Commando’s and my younger son in the hands of unidentified person.

My eldest son Pebam Ojit had three children from his first marriage, his first wife left him due to personal reasons. He got married again and he was doing brief business of selling liquor with his second wife and unfortunately they do not have any children. I do not know exactly what more business they were involved as they hardly reveal all their activities. On 20^th February 2008, my son and his wife went to the Khwairamband Bazaar for some work. While my daughter-in-law, Chaoba, was shopping, my son had food from one of the hotels at Mapal Kangjeibung, as he felt hungry. When she returned from shopping, my son was not present at the destined place where they had agreed to meet. She waited for a long time and later learnt that he has been arrested by the Police Commandos while having food at the hotel.

According to the Police, my son was killed during an encounter with the Imphal West District Commandos, at a spot in between Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai Leirak Achouba Maning and Longjam Leirak under Imphal Police Station at around 7.50 pm on 20^th February 2008. They do not mention he was arrested from Mapal Kangjeibung while he was having food. According to police report, a team of Imphal West Police Commandos was coming from the side of Irom Pukhri Mapal when two youths coming on a Kinetic Honda suspiciously tried to speed away on seeing the security personnel.
When the commandos asked them to stop, youth on pillion riding opened fire at the Commandos. The Commandos also retaliated the firing killing him at the spot while his companion managed to escape leaving behind the vehicle toward Longjam Leirak side. The slain youth was my son Pebam Ojit. The police alleged the recovery of one 9 mm pistol made in Italy and four live rounds of ammunition from my son and the Commandos have also taken into custody of the Kinetic Honda (Silver colourMB1E/8246).

My son was innocent person and I know he was not involved in the activities of underground. He has been accused of belonging to underground group and extorting money from the public. He also has been accused of possessing arms and ammunitions when he was killed in the fake encounter. We did not collect my son’s body for three days and protested for few days at Tiddim Road.  Our weak voice claiming innocence of my son fell upon deaf ears and as time passes the sensitivity of the case reduces. Now, everyone has forgotten about it and owing to immense financial problem we did not pursue the case further. There was no magisterial inquiry and we do not have strong connection with any important and powerful people, therefore, the case is now forgotten.

My daughter-in-law has left for maternal home for good after few months of his death. My eldest grandson is now 20 years old, he is a daily wage earner and lives with me. The two granddaughters are married and settled.

My youngest son Pebam Premkumar@Rohit was killed by unidentified gunmen at Tiddim road on 27^th February 2007. He had just completed the training with the IRB as constable and was happy and satisfied with his performance during the training period. Whenever he goes for his duty, I went to drop him at the street where he takes the vehicle. On this fateful I could not drop him far owing to my back pain, he looked back to me as he walked further and was in good mood. After few minutes one person from our locality informed me something has happened to my son. I learnt that three people were forcing him to board the car, and during this melee another person came down from the car, took out a pistol and shot him from behind at a close range killing him on the spot. The by standers took him to the hospital, however, he was declared brought dead. The next day, the UNLF claimed the responsibility of killing him for surrendering and joining the State security forces. My son Pebam Premkumar was involved with some cadre group and he was away from us for few years. He returned home and surrendered before the state security forces and joined the IRB. This angered the cadre group and killed him. He left behind one daughter and one son and they are living with me. Premkumar’s wife works as helper at a clinic and while she is at work, I took care of the children.

The pain of having lost two sons simultaneously in two years is a great loss. I do not want to remember the way they were killed mercilessly on false accounts. One is innocent and alleged to be an underground, killing him in a fake encounter. The other decided to leave illegal activities of the underground cadres and got killed for surrendering. I have stopped roaming in our locality. I cannot see mothers giving care to their children, I remember the care and love I had tendered to my two sons when they were young. I have stopped eating the food items they liked. Now, I have to think for my grand children and do my level best to make them happy and content when I am alive. They should get proper good education and I and my daughter-in-law are doing the best to provide their basic needs. My eldest grandson (s/o Ojit) is a drop out and he helps financially in the family working as daily wage earner. We are poor as our major bread earners are dead and we do not possess BPL card, therefore we are not availing the facilities provided by the Government. I spent my time preparing food for our small family and taking in charge of dropping and collecting my younger two grandchildren from school. I have to be strong and confident for our family. I have to do my best while I am alive.

Testimony of Langpoklakpam Rani

Testimony of Smt.  Langpoklakpam (O) Rani Devi

I, Smt. Langpoklakpam (O) Rani Devi aged about 27 years, W/O (L) Sh. Langpoklakpam Bimolchandra Singh, R/O Haobam Marak, P.O & P.S Imphal West District, 795001, would like to testify the happenings of the day I lost my husband in the hands of the Police Commandos.

My husband was arrested and killed by the Police commandos on 4^th July 2008.  We were supposed to go out in the afternoon with our son for watching the kang chingba at the Palace gate. He went out in the morning around 7 a.m., for buying few things and he never returned back. I called his cell phone number around 8.30 a.m. however, there was no answer. Our family members enquired about his whereabouts later in the afternoon. According to the eye witness, he was arrested around 9 a.m. near Mangi’s shop in our locality by the Police Commandos and he was taken away in their vehicle towards Changangei. His NV-scooter was driven away by one of the Policemen. Later, we received information that one person who was attempting to throw a bomb to the security personnel’s was killed in the encounter at U-Checkon with the Police Commandos and MLI.  The police sated that arms and ammunition was found with him at the time he was shot in the encounter.

My brother-in-law who went to search for my husband, returned home sad and dejected and I saw him wiping away his tears. I became alarmed and repeatedly asked him what has happened to my husband. He told me he met with an accident and he was in the hospital. I became hysterical and started shouting and crying and begged him to tell the truth. I sensed that my husband must have been grievously hurt and I never knew he would be dead. My bro-in-law did not inform about my husband’s death immediately. I was in the advanced stage of pregnancy and they were afraid something terrible might happen to me on receiving the news. My bro-in-law confirmed the death of my husband from the RIMS Hospital morgue. I fainted on hearing the news, I could not believe that he has been killed by the combined forces of Police Commandos and Maratha Light Infantry. My husband was an innocent person working in our Rice mill and indulged in contract works with his friends. He was not involved in the activities of the insurgents as stated by the Police Commandos. They made a false report that he was attempting to throw bomb to the Police and during this melee, he was killed in the encounter. On account of his death, neither Joint Action Committee was formed nor was dharna staged in order to show the inhuman activities of the police commando. I did not receive any compensation for the brutal inhuman killing.  We do not have any connection with the influential people, therefore we do not pursue the case further.

My life took a drastic turn after the death of my husband. I fainted very often and I faced serious mental depression. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy after the death of my husband.  I was not able to recover from mental depression for a long time. I do not want to mingle with people and felt like committing suicide. My father-in-law met with an accident in December 2008 and he died not able to recuperate from the injuries received in the accident. My mother-in-law also passed away after six months from the death of my husband. Everybody in the family left me and my two children one by one and we were left all alone. I was left alone with the challenge of sustaining my two children and confront life in the absence of husband and in-laws. I could not sleep at night and my mind was full of tension how to tackle with the layers of difficulties of facing life all alone.

People from the social development sector visited me and invited me to join their organization. The members of e-pham are the womenfolk whom their husbands are the victims of State forces. I shared my pain and sorrow with them and it brings relief to my grief-stricken heart. Whenever I go out to attend their meeting, people from our locality frequently enquires where & with whom I am going & for what purpose. I get discrimination from our family members for venturing out from home. After joining the E-pham, I developed self confidence and decided I shall not depend upon others for raising my children and to satisfy my children’s hunger. I started working as helper at Kids Centre near our house. I enjoy working amongst the small toddlers and this is how I while away my time and earn money for sustaining me and my children. I also earn some money from our rice mill.

My son Virun aged 9 years is reading in kindergarten at St. Joseph school which is a private school and I have to pay the fees. I do not avail any Government facilities for elementary education and the ration card is in the name of my father-in-law and therefore I am not able to take the facilities. I am not a BPL card holder as the house number of our address is common with my in-laws. My youngest son Thoiba, aged 3 years is with me in the Kid Centre where I am working. My life has to be perfect even in the absence of my husband. I will play the role of a loving and caring mother and a supportive and strong role of a father as well.   I need to play a dual role to fill in the gap in my son’s life for not having a father. I have to be strong and courageous thinking for my beloved son’s.

A Sangakpham bomb blast victim recounts her story

I, Smt. Thokchom (O) Cleopatra Devi 32 years, W/O Sh. Thokchom Dinesh Singh, R/O Achanbigei Leikai, P.S. Heingang, Imphal East District, 795010, would like to testify the events of the day I was involved in the Sangakpham bomb blast on 2nd August 2011.
I went to Sangakpham in the afternoon around 12.45 p.m. to meet the pundit who reads kuthi (horoscope). After collecting and talking with the pundit for a while, I came out to go back home. I stopped near the road side grocery shop, to buy eatables for my son Donald. I was choosing the wafer packets when all of a sudden I heard a loud blast accompanied with strong plastic smelling smokes all over the place. I was deafened and my head was covered with dust and black soot from the bomb blast. I could hear people shouting and screaming everywhere in the surrounding. I did not turn back and I told the shopkeeper something is wrong with me as I could feel a hot and wet sensation on the left side of my stomach and left leg. I touched my stomach and realized that it was drenched with blood, I had been seriously wounded from the splinters of the bomb blast. My left leg was also profusely bleeding.  I did not turn towards the blast area out of fear and went inside the shop and the shopkeeper took me outside the road from another door. I borrowed a piece of cloth from some ladies and wrapped myself with the cloth and limped towards the main road to catch an auto rickshaw. I went to my maternal home as it is near from Sangakpham, my parents took me to JNIMS Hospital at Porompat for taking treatment.
On the way to the hospital I never knew I would come out from this situation. I got injuries on the left portion of the chest and left leg. The doctors removed several splinters from the leg and chest. The quick medical aid from the doctors saved my life. My parents called my family members and they all rushed to the Hospital. I did not contact my husband as he was out of station and he would be alarmed, if learnt that I am involved in the blast. I remembered my son Donald who is just 3 years old and I decided I should not stay back in the Hospital as he would be missing me. The doctors were reluctant to discharge me as the iron shrapnel from the blast were poisonous and would cause severe infection. I insisted them to discharge me for today as my son was alone at home and I would come for regular check up. Several policemen and journalist came to enquire about the bomb blast. They made me feel nervous and confused in the midst of extreme pain, heat and noise.
I had high fever, low blood pressure, nauseating and loss of appetite after the incident. I was in the bed for two weeks, taking strong pain killer and antibiotics. Now, I am recuperating from the injuries.  I still feel nauseating and on pressing the injured area I get pain. Fortunately, I do not have difficulty in walking or other problem. I thank God that my life was spared from the blast and made me able to live normally with my family. It was good that my son was not with me on that inauspicious day. I cannot go out regularly and feel scared that another bomb may explode. When I go towards Sangakpham, I turn my head away from the blast area and close my eyes as it brings back bad memories. I do not want to take my son along while going out, fearing that some similar misfortune may happen. The compensation promised by the Manipur Government has not been accomplished.  The necessary document has been submitted to the JAC and it appears that everything is under process.

Sangakpham Blast, ordeal of a mother of losing her daughter

I, Smt. Ramshimla Awungshi aged about 40 years, W/O Sh. Kachipkhui Awungshi, temporarily residing at Paomai Colony, Sangakpham Leikai, P.O. Chingmeirong, P.S. Chingmeirong, Imphal East District, 795010, would like to testify the happenings of the day my daughter Philaso Awungshi was killed in the Sangakpham bomb blast on 2nd August 2011.
I have eight children and my daughter Philaso Awungshi aged about 10 years was the second youngest amongst the eight siblings. She was studying in Class three at Chingmeirong Primary School, Chingmeirong. Philaso was a good natured girl, bright in her studies and she hardly talks. She was one of the best children in our family, she was not lazy in completing her home work and was helpful to me most of the time. She would be energetic most of the time and willing to prepare food even before she goes to school. Philaso and her elder brother Somatai were reading in the same school. Philaso was in standard III and her brother in standard IV. They went to school together and return home together. My daughter Philaso and the other victim Neha were very good and close friends. They would go to school together, play together and eat their food either in our house or at their house together.
On the fateful day, my daughter and Neha were killed when they were buying eatables from the shop where the blast took place. The day she was killed, I did not meet her in the morning. I went to the field early in the morning before she got up from bed. The blast took place while I was in the field and I came to know about the incident after returning from the field around 3-4 p.m. I have a weak heart and owing to this fragile health, nobody at home informed me that my daughter has been a victim of the blast. They told me she was in the hospital with minor injuries and our relatives were with her and they would be back soon after attaining first aid. Later, in the evening at around 7 p.m, a stranger belonging to my community came before our gate and told me in our dialect, “Sister where will you bury your daughter, here in Imphal or in your village”. After giving this information he went away, I did not get time to speak to him. I was stunned and dismayed, and I shouted, my beloved Philaso is dead? I was confused and wondered why my family members did not inform me. My husband was in our village, my daughter Philaso was one of the children killed in the blast, what I would do now. After this, numbness came upon me and I lost my consciousness. I cried bitterly and told my relatives I have to go and see my child. However, they did not allow me and I had a tormented night. I learnt from my relatives that they searched for my daughter everywhere in the blast area after they got the news that two school girls had been involved in the blast. They could not locate her mangled body at the blast site at first. Later, they found her body inside the corner of the grocery shop where my daughter and Neha had bought eatables. That was how my loving daughter lost her young precious life, killed by the activity of the terrorists. Next day, with the help of my relatives, my daughter’s body was brought home from the morgue, we took her body to our village at Marou, Phungyar Sub-division, Ukhrul district, to perform the last rites. This was her last journey from Imphal to our village. I never knew I would be facing this kind of difficult and devastating situation in my life.
On that ill fated day, I regret so much for not having seen her before I went to the field. I cried every now and then longing for my daughter’s presence. I feel empty most of the time and I would find myself staring and gazing into nowhere and I could sit for hours thinking about my daughter. I have lost my appetite completely and I get headaches most of the time. I do not feel like going out, I have this fear that there may be a bomb blast again anywhere. I have difficulty in communicating with people and remain muddled most of the time, not knowing what to do. My son Somatai is also afraid of going to school thinking that bomb may blast again and he does not want to cross the area as it brings back sad memories of losing a beautiful and loving sister. We live just a few meters away from the blast area and it is compulsory for us to pass through the area. Still, it is a difficult moment for me to cross and see the area where my daughter lost her life.
I am an illiterate person and ignorant about where to approach for assistance. The Government of Manipur had promised Rs two Lakh rupees (firstly, it was one lakh, later increased, on 2nd September 2011,  two lakhs owing to the gravity of the blast) as compensation on the death of my daughter in the blast, however till now,  we have not received any news in this regard.  This amount can never replace or bring back my daughter. No one can understand the experience of pain and sadness of losing a beautiful child at such a tender age in such an ugly incident. Every day, I would expect my daughter to come back from school in the afternoon. Then, all of a sudden I would realize that Philaso is no more and would never return home. Her friends would return from school chattering and laughing happily. There is no other option but to cry bitterly remembering her face.
We do not possess BPL card of Imphal district as we are residing temporarily at Sangakpham. My husband is in the village most of the time and I live in Imphal looking after my school going children. We had financial problem as our family is large and now it is coupled with emptiness and sadness from having lost a beautiful daughter. Why the terrorist are so cruel and callous in carrying out such a repulsive action killing many people. God will definitely punish the guilty for their cruel activities.

A mother's testimonial (son killed by Army in alleged fake encounter)

Testimony of Smt. Oinam (O) Yaimabi Leima Devi

I, Smt. Oinam (O) Yaimabi Leima Devi aged about 47 years, W/O  Sh. Oinam Yaima Singh, R/O Ishikha Mayai Leikai P.O. Lamlong, P.S. Lamlai, Imphal East District, 795010, would like to testify the happenings of the day when my son was taken away by the Police commandos without issuing any arrest warrant. My son was a driver by profession when he was alive, driving between Pukhao to Imphal. He was staying with his uncle and came home to live with us for sometime as he was suffering from epilepsy. The disease was reoccurring at frequent intervals; therefore he was staying with us for medication and was recuperating. My son was a very polite and quite person; he was earning properly and was supporting us financially. We were happy for his major service in the family, however, he has been snatched away from us, it seems he was destined to live a short life.

On the intervening night of 31^st October and 1^st November 2009, around 1-2 a.m two army personnel banged on our door and came inside hastily with their gun pointing towards my husband and shoved him aside.  My sons were sleeping and they were forced to wake up and get dressed. The two army men were speaking to us in Manipuri and without issuing arrest memo they arrested and dragged away my eldest son. They did not mention the reason for arresting him and instead told us not to make any sound and latched the door from outside so that we do not follow and ask for help from the neighborhood. We were simply helpless and afraid to open the door or shout for help as they might hurt or kill our son. After sometime one of my sons jumped out from the window and opened the door. We went out and heard a commotion and learnt that our uncle’s son was also arrested and taken away along with my son. We hired vehicles and with womenfolk of our village, went to Porompat Police Station to inquire if the army personnel had brought the arrested persons to the police station. Unexpectedly, the police told us they had no knowledge about the arrest and no persons were brought. I became very worried and felt helpless wondering where they might have taken them away and returned home very worried and troubled.

The next day, we approached the MLA of our jurisdiction seeking help to move application to the concerned department in order to find our arrested son’s. No one was able to locate the missing duo. Nobody had any knowledge where the army had taken them away. We were not able to recount which battalion the security personnel belonged to and this made the situation worse for us to locate where the army had taken and hidden them. We were in a dilemma where the army had taken away and for what purpose.

On the 11^th day, the news came about an encounter at Andro Sanapat, Yairipok, of Imphal East district. The army had an encounter with an insurgent group and seven underground cadres had been killed during the encounter. We went to RIMS morgue to check if my son and his cousin brothers were involved in the encounter and amongst the corpses. My head started spinning and sweating extremely and I started imaging if my sons were involved.

My imagination turned to reality, I learnt after few hours from one of our relatives who went down to RIMS morgue to identify the death bodies. My dearest son and his cousin brother were amongst the seven youths shot down on the pretext of alleged fake encounter with the Indian army at Andro Sanapat. My son was wearing his own clothes when my husband went to retrieve his body from the hospital. Whereas his cousin brother was not wearing the usual clothes he was wearing on the day he was taken away, instead he was wearing one loose t-shirt which appeared to had been borrowed from someone else and his pants had been changed into another camouflage print half pants which was extremely tight and the belly button was also opened as if it was too tight to be closed. It seems my son was shot several times during the fake encounter by the army. My son’s body bore multiple bullet injuries and there is possibility that he might had been tortured before  shooting him during the fake encounter.

After his death, a Joint Action Committee was formed in order to show that he was not an insurgent and why a person should be done to death without any proper reason. Rallies and dharnas were mobilized and the minister of our jurisdiction came and offered us with a compensation of Rs. One Lakh. The minister also made a strong promise to provide employment to one of the nearest kin. However, this promise has not been accomplished till today even if we had inquired several times with the minister. There was no magisterial inquiry for further investigation of the matter.

My condition has changed drastically after the death of my loving son. My health has deteriorated severely after his death. Before, I was a hard working person with no heath problems, I go to the market for trading and also go to the fields during the harvest season for earning money. Now, my husband restrains me knowing my difficult situation. Most of the time, I kept hearing my son’s voice calling out to me and I would run outside in order to check if he has returned. My head spins, and I would faint. I developed stomach pain and underwent medication with several costly tests. However, the doctors were not able to diagnose exactly what I am suffering from. Most of the test like-Ultra sound, blood test, ECG turned out to be normal.  My mind is not able to concentrate on any important work or on the conversation one is having. My husband and my remaining two sons carry out all the other works starting from carrying water to going to the fields. My only job is to prepare food, wash dishes and clothes of my family and remain within our premises. I don’t attend wedding ceremony or any form of ceremonies or rituals. My circle of life now lies within our premises. I have preserved some of his clothes and a chappal separately. I have also cherished the mufflers which he had received as a gift from his girlfriend. Whenever I remember him, I would take out these clothes and gaze at them for a long time. I am like a mad person and I am not able to cherish any moment even if my sons and husband do their best to make me happy. My only question is why the army had to kill an innocent person and why God snatched away my son away from me.

July 23, Khawairamband Bazar fake encounter, testimony of Ch Sanjit's mother

Testimony of Smt. Chungkham (O) Inaotombi Devi

I, Chungkham (O) Inaotombi Devi aged about 47 years, W/O  Chungkham Khelen Singh, R/O Khurai ChingangbamLeikai, P.S Porompat, Imphal East District, 795010, would like to share the painful memories of how my son was killed by the Manipur Police Commandos during broad daylight on 23^rd July 2009.

My eldest son Sanjit works as house painter when he was alive and looks after his two younger brothers with his earnings. At night he works as an attendant at Raj Polyclinic, North A.O.C. He takes care of the financial maintenance of our family without any complaint. My husband operates a mechanical workshop at Maram and we often visit the place. Sanjit was quiet and good natured person and he hardly mingles around with people.

Sanjit’s uncle (My husband’s elder Brother) was admitted at JNIMS Porompat for an ailment and he was taking care of him in the Hospital. The day he was assassinated by the commandos, he went to buy medicine and fresh apples from Khwairamband Bazaar as it was not available at Porompat. He went in an autorickshaw and while he was approaching towards Maimu Pharmacy, the police suddenly arrested him without issuing any arrest memo and searched his body for concealed weapons.  The group of commandos involved in his assassination took him inside the Maimu Pharmacy and thrashed him fatally before shooting him at point blank.  One of the Commandos lifted up his shirt and shot him mercilessly in the stomach killing him instantly inside the pharmacy. The commandos pretended a fake encounter and shot several rounds of gunfire and during the staged encounter, a pregnant woman (Rabina) was killed and several people were also injured.

Sanjit had called us before he went to the market for buying the medicine and informed me that he was feeling hungry. We heard that there was a shootout at Khwairamband Bazaar near the over bridge and one insurgent along with one pregnant women had been killed. He neither phoned back nor returned back to the Hospital, therefore, one of our relatives went to the Bazaar to check if he was involved in the shootout.  We confirmed from the morgue that Sanjit was killed during the encounter, when a person at the Hospital, showed a mobile footage of Sanjit killed in the encounter. I fainted on hearing the news and I have never been the same from the day he was killed. From the day my son died, my life underwent a complete change both physically and mentally.

The consequences that happened to me and to our State after the assassination of my son Sanjit by the police Commandos were unimaginable. There were series of bandhs, dharna, rallies, casualties inflicted to protestors and so on. The State was in turmoil owing to the fake encounter staged by the police Commandos on 23^rd July 2009. One thoughtful person had filmed the activities of the Police while they were in the act of arresting and taking him inside the pharmacy and later killing him in a staged encounter when he was not carrying any weapon. The said footage was given to the Tehelka magazine and the follow up inquiry consequently led to the arrest and trial of the involved commandos.

After the incident, I suffered grievously and faced mental traumas. My health deteriorated adversely and I experienced behavioral changes, I became more unrestrained on seeing the police commandos. I get extremely angry and shout whenever I see them. I fainted regularly, my blood pressure was low most of the time, loss of appetite for three months accompanied with kidney failure .Whenever I see his clothes I would cry bitterly remembering his face. I refused to take sleeping pills and other medicines for my ailment. I was on hospitalized for many days to regain my strength. Many people came to console me and I started changing my attitude and confidence developed within me afterwards. I realized I won’t be able to join the fight against the police for justice, if I am bedridden.

In my dreams I kept seeing my son, he would be asking for food and for his clothes which he had worn on the day he was killed. I would often feel his presence inside our house, so I called a pundit (maiba) and performed a ritual in our courtyard offering food and other items for the spirit. One night I went to Lamlong Bridge and dropped all the clothes at Imphal river.  I literally fought with the policemen on the Khurai Streets when they came to disrupt the protest. I shouted to them, how they would react if their son or daughter were killed.  I was not allowed to perform pooja and offering of flowers at Maimu pharmacy by the policemen stationed outside the pharmacy.  The owner of the pharmacy who saw the incident refused to share the truth of how my son was killed. I faced much harassment from the policemen when I came out to protest for my son.

I am glad many people supported me during the heated agitation against the government. Our case is under investigation by the CBI and the case is pending before the trial court. I am waiting for revenge against the nine policemen who are involved in murder of my son Sanjit. If the investigation and the justice favor the policemen I would take personal revenge against the nine commandos involved in the murder, even if I am jailed. I have developed the tendency to commit suicide outside the residence of the Chief Minister of our State, if they plead my son as guilty.

Presently, I cannot perform any heavy work owing to kidney failure. I get dizzy and cramps in the stomach develop. I am taking medicines regularly to keep myself fit. I have to sustain myself to seek revenge for the guilty policemen. My husband and two of my sons are there to help me all the time.

This type of incident are common in our state and it should not happen again in others family. The security forces, whether they are the Assam Rifles or the state Commandos, should stop killing father, husband and sons of Manipur.

testimonial of a traumatized widow

Testimony of Smt. Athokpam (O) Tarubi devi

I, Smt. Athokpam (O) Tarubi Devi aged about 47 years, W/O  (L) Athokpam Manja Singh, R/O Basikhong Torban Leikai P.O. Irilbung, P.S. Irilbung, Imphal East District, 795010, would like to testify the happenings of the day my husband was taken away by the Rapid Action Force, without issuing arrest memo around 8-8.30 p.m. from our house. My husband was working at Manipur University as a peon. He was an alcoholic and hardly goes for his work. My husband was terminated from his work owing to regular absence from work. When he was alive we had multiple problems starting from shortage of food, shortage of money and quarrelling with me and other people. However, he was good natured, caring and loving person when he was sober.

On 29^th April 2007, around 8-8.30 p.m. we heard a familiar voice calling from our gate, “Tamocha” several times. (people known to us called my husband “Tamocha” which means younger brother). It was pitch dark outside as there was no electricity and the person repeatedly called my husband as he came towards our door and told us to open the door quickly.  When I opened the door, the person hurriedly came inside the house and said he wanted to talk to my husband. The person was in civil dress and he appears to be around 28-29 years old. My husband entered the room where the person was standing and he took my husband outside the house. My husband was wearing khudei (cloth wrapped around the waist) without vest and sandal. The stranger asked if my husband was into contracts and he talked continuously as he walked towards the courtyard. My children and my husband followed the person towards the courtyard. While we were standing in the courtyard, another person in police commando uniform appeared from the darkness carrying a long rifle. He arrested my husband without showing any arrest memo and led him towards the gate. The person in civilian dress took out revolver from his pocket and pointed towards us and he threatened us not to move or shout and to remain standing. He threatened us that he would kill my husband if we move or shout for help. He walked towards the gate pointing the gun towards us and disappeared into the darkness. We were all helpless and could not do anything to save him. They took him away in their vehicle towards the village ground. Later, my eldest son informed me that the rapid action forces had parked their vehicle near the Meirapaibi shed which is few houses away from our house. He was coming from the opposite direction and had seen the policemen approaching towards the vehicle. He had hidden himself amongst the bushes fearing the policemen and also to avoid unnecessary questioning. He did not realize that it was his father, the police had arrested.  We informed some of our relatives and the MLA of our constituency about the arrest, however no police stations were aware about the arrest.

The next morning we were informed about the death of my husband, he was found killed in the Langol hill clad only in khudai (as he was taken away at night) by some villager’s.  My eldest daughter Echan went to the morgue to confirm whether it was her father. She told me that he was shot on the right temple and his left side of cheek was smeared with dry leaf and mud. It appears that his hands were twisted for being tied from behind and his body bore injury marks. It appears that he was beaten and tortured before shooting him to death. My daughter fainted on seeing the mutilated body of her father. Our relatives decided not to take the body from the morgue until the culprits were apprehended. Joint action Committee was formed in our locality agitating against the murder of my husband, and for two days the body was not collected. The policemen who arrested and killed my husband were not traceable and no reason was given on the death of my husband. I decided it was not going to solve the subject or bring solace, in lengthening the issue, so after two days, I collected the body from the morgue with the help of my relatives and performed the necessary last rites according to our custom.

The day my husband was arrested from our house in the presence of our family members, I never knew he will not return home. He was a simple person without any fault and wrong doings, so I thought he would return to us. Even if he behaves madly when drunk, he hardly create problem outside the house. I don’t know why he was killed so brutally by the policemen, without any fault from his side. Later, I heard from the locality, that a few days before his arrest and murder, my husband had an altercation at the liquor shop which is located a few houses away from our residence. This family had performed shoisthi pooja of their newborn child and my husband had argument with few people who came to attend the ceremony. These people had pointed their finger to my husband and shouted from the gate that they would take revenge one day. Some people of our locality doubted these persons might have taken revenge and instigated the police personnel’s to kill my husband. Whatever may be the reason, it was wrong on the part of the policemen to kill my husband. He was an innocent person not involved in the activities of the insurgent groups.

The MLA of our jurisdiction came for condolence and gave Rs. 30,000/ and we received compensation of Rs. 1 Lakh after one year. The Minister also made a strong promise to provide employment to one of the nearest kin. However, this promise has not been accomplished till today even if we had inquired several times with the Minister. There was no magisterial inquiry for further investigation of the matter. The police personnel involved in the murder remained unknown and were not traceable. 

Our family condition worsened drastically after the death of my husband. We became poorer and my children stopped their education for two years.  We live on one square meal per day with great difficulty and most of the time we had only boiled vegetables to sustain our hunger. I decided to work at fields and construction sites for earning money. We do not get pension of my husband as he was terminated from his job. People from our locality offered advice and suggestions that I should not get married again, and I should take care of my growing children. I have developed psychological problem, tension develop within me all the time when I go to field and other work, I get afraid the commandos may visit our house and terrorize my children in my absence. I cannot see the army or the policemen, I get afraid what they would do to us. Late at night, I cannot hear the dogs barking or people shouting, fear will develop and I would get excited and nervous. The fear that the police involved in killing my husband may visit and harassed our family is there all the time.

I do not own BPL card for getting the monthly ration. I am not availing widow pension scheme and I don’t have the knowledge from where to get these benefits. My children are all grown up and the youngest two daughters are studying in standard eleven in Government aided school. We are receiving Rajiv Gandhi fellowship for two children. Two of my sons are in college and eldest daughter Echan is a professional artist and goes for national and international shows. She helps me in financing the family and now the condition of our family has improved.

I am living for my children, I feel I should be strong and confident for them. They should not feel orphaned in the society when I am alive. I get discriminated on various accounts being a widow. I will stand for them and no one should discriminate my children as long as I am alive. 

Testimony of a woman abducted by outlaws

Testimony of Smt.  Oinam (O) Chanam Dilabi

I, Smt.Oinam (O) Chanam Dilabi aged about 47 years, W/O Sh. Oinam Bijendro,    R/O Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai, P.O. Canchipur, P.S. Singjamei, District Imphal West, 795003, recall the unforgettable moment of the fateful night of 29^th January 2011. The KCP (MC) insurgents made a monetary demand of Rs.10 lakhs to my brother Ch. Ajit, working as Under Secretary in the State Finance Department. In order to handover the demanded amount, I went to Moirang Bazaar with my sister on this fateful day. On reaching Moirang Bazaar, no one was present to collect the money, and I received a call from the suspected insurgents directing us to come to Keibul Ithing to deliver the money. We met a women and an unidentified man at Keibul Ithing. After taking the money, they instructed us to sit inside the auto rickshaw and at gun point blindfolded me and took us to an unknown destination. We were kept in a fishing hut located within the phum (patch of land formed from mud and grass) and kept us and my sister captive for the night. They threatened me to bring more money and they would kill me and remain captive for many days if their demands are not provided. My family members were also threatened to bring more money. I was so frightened with their behavior I begged them not to kill me and to consider our life for the sake of my young children at home. Next morning I heard few gunshots and the cadres ran away, we also ran out from the room and came across some army personnel speaking in Manipuri. We narrated to them how we were taken hostage there and they took us to safety.

From this unforgettable incident, I find it very difficult to trust people, suffer from mental depression, very often gets disturbed and the feeling of uneasiness develops on slight tension at home. The fear that these cadres might appear again and made monetary demands also remains most of the time. The fear that I might be abducted again and went through the same trauma of that fearful night leaves me tensed and frightened.The underground cadres demanding money from the public on the ground of serving the public should be stopped. Women and children should not be abducted or kidnapped in order to meet their demands. 

Testimony of Smt.Mutum (O) Bimola Devi, a traumatized gun survivor

Testimony of Smt.  Mutum (O) Bimola Devi

I, Smt. Mutum (O) Bimola Devi aged about 43 years, W/O (L) Sh. Mutum Ibohal Singh, resident of  Yurembam Maning Leikai, P.O. Patsoi, P.S. Patsoi, District Imphal West, 795003, work at the brick kiln factory located 2-3 kilometers away from my house and I receive a salary of Rs.3000/- p.m.  I have four children, master Jonson, 14 years reading in class 7, master Roshan, 12 years reading in class 4, miss Rosita, 10 years reading in class 3 and miss Sangeeta, 7 years reading in class 1, all are reading at Yurembam Government High School.

When my husband was alive, he earned his living by working as a contractor and we had a poultry farm in our residential house. We were sufficient and happy with what he earned. He was friendly with one Pheiroijam Pungcha and I did not appreciate his company because there was a rumor in our locality that he connection with the underground cadre belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council).

One day, I heard them discussing that there was a demand to the Pradhan of our locality from the group KCP (MC) for 7 mobile handsets and they should go for delivering the handsets to the cadres. I got very upset and made several attempts not to make him go with Pheiroijam Pungcha for delivering the handsets. I tore his pants and shirts on various accounts in order to prevent him from going. He also made several attempts to go and failed on many accounts.

However, on 18^th June 2008, he took dresses from his younger brother and went away quickly with Pheiroijam Pungcha on the pretext of delivering the handsets to Moirang and he promised that he would be back very soon. He did not return for many days, so our family members asked and searched for him in many places. We could not find him and I started presuming something bad must have happened to him.

On 29^th June 2008, we received a phone call from the State Police informing us about the death of my husband and his accomplice Pheiroijam Pungcha. We were told to collect their bodies, lying in the morgue of RIMS. I got dizzy on getting the news of the death of my husband. We went to collect his death body and came to know that he was shot in an encounter. We were told that several documents belonging to KCP (MC) along with a pistol 9mm were found in their possession at time of the encounter.  I went to the morgue with my in-laws, relatives and locality people. My husband’s body was already decomposed when we collected it from the morgue, it appears that he was killed many days back and the police gave the information lately. When I checked his decomposed body, there were several inflicted injuries on his right thigh and four bullet holes injury could be seen on his head. It seems my husband was harassed and tortured before he was shot to death. I felt so terrible and miserable, I got very angry, and cursed the police who killed my husband. I became depressed and cried along with my children that we have been left all alone to live on our own and thousands of question occurred on my mind, how could this happened to a person who was an innocent citizen.

I pleaded to my family members and local people to organize a rally and to form a JAC (Joint Action Committee), but my appeal fell upon deaf ears. There was no commotion against the alleged fake encounter and everyone remained silent as they have the apprehension that the police will come and harass them in future. There was no magisterial inquiry for further investigation of the matter and the matter became a closed chapter.

The underground cadres KCP (MC) published in the newspaper that my husband and his accomplice were not members of their group and they do not have knowledge and responsibility over his death.

I developed numerous problems after the death of my husband, starting from financial problem to adjustment with my family members. I started developing suicidal tendencies. My family members were though good to me and my children, and were helpful however I started getting inferiority complex and felt guilty over minor issues. At night when I go out for natures call, I do not feel comfortable moving around inside the house passing through the rooms. I get conscious that I am a nuisance and a burden to my family members. With the guilty conscience I shifted to the other house located in our courtyard which was used for poultry farming when my husband was alive. I made few necessary renovations and moved in along with my children. I do not depend on anyone and I suffered all alone. I always feel guilty and get conscious without any reason most of the time. I was a simple housewife when my husband was alive and hardly went out from the locality. Now, I have to go out, work and earn to support my children. Life has changed drastically after the death of my husband. After his death I developed fear psychosis, anxiety, depression and self discrimination. Whenever I come across the police I become scared and do my best to avoid them. I feel I am a burden to the society and do not wish to attend celebration, festivals or entertainment programs. I am living and working for the sake of my children.

Bust statue of Hijam Irawat unveiled

Wide Angle Social Development Organization, Sagolband Moirang Hanuba in observance of the 115^th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irawat inaugurated a bust statue of the leader at its official complex on September 30,2011.

The inaugural function was graced by Retd. Wing Commander Ahanthem Hemchand, General Secretary of Moirang Hanuba Youth Development Organization (MYDC) Oinam Mangilal as the Chief Guest and President of the function.

Senior journalist and founder member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Yambem Laba was the guest of honor.

After paying floral tributes to the memory of the martyr. The Chief Guest, Ahanthem Hemchand unveiled the bust of Hijam Irawat.

The occasion also saw participation from children of CRY in a cultural function held afterwards. 

Convention on RTE stresses on need of a monitoring body

IMPHAL, September 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education”(RTE) was held at Yurembam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurembam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, education (s) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office, zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and founder member of Manipur Human Rights Commission and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention and delivered their comments on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Among the speakers, Pradip Kumar stressed that the Act has not been implemented in totality in the state and the children of the state have been deprived of their fundamental rights.

Comparing the right to education with the right to life, he said that to monitor the RTE Act from the grass-root level, the School Monitoring Committee (SMC) system have been instituted under the provision of the act to observe the conduct of the teachers and the functioning of the school so that the children may get the facilities so provided under the act.

He mentioned that a SMC committee consisting of 14 members should be constituted for every school and half of the committee should comprise of women as per the norms given.

Under the act there are provisions for exemption of 25 percent from the admission fees of the students during times of enrollment in private schools since the inception of the act.

“The students studying in class I should avail the facility in private schools, as the RTE have been in implementation from the previous year onwards, yet the private schools are still to address the issue”, he said.

“There should be no screening exams conducted for the admission of students to the private schools so as to ensure free and fair education, yet it still goes on regardless”, he added.

Mentioning the hindrances in the RTE act by the departments concerned, he said that the implementing body of the RTE, officials of the concerned education (s) department when approached were also confused in their stance regarding implementation of the Act in totality.

He stressed on the need of a monitoring body to oversee the implementing authority of the RTE for better transparency and providing the amenities under the Act.

“The need to institute the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is the need of the hour as such a body can monitor and fill the voids left lacking post implementation of the RTE Act”, he said.

Yambem Laba, also in a similar assertion stated that the state have been in a cesspool of corruption owing to many factors and has inherently affected the education sector.

He said that corrections in the system cannot be made overnight, but have to begin systematically from the grass root level onwards and will take time.

“Every individual or official has a large role to play in addressing the effective realization of the RTE , the requirement is to maintain one’s ideology and selfless endeavour in working to bring about a better system of delivering quality education by the government schools”, he said.

He further stated that behind the guise of non state actors, anti social elements have been preying on the infrastructure development of schools for monetary gains, such actions should be differed by the concerned and must have the courage to face the adversity to bring about a holistic change in the education sector and otherwise, he said.

The convention also saw participation from the attendees in an interaction session with officials from the education department.

It may be mentioned that the RTE Act, 2009 provides free and compulsory education to children from six to fourteen years of age besides other facilities of free text books, uniform, schoolbags, provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities among others.

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