Justice for Sanaton Athokpam (JSA) in association with local clubs and Meira Paibi groups of Khurai area staged sit-ins at Khurai Heikrumakhong, Lamlong Keithel, Khurai Thangjam Leirak, Khurai Thoudam Leikai, amongst others.
TFM Report
The agitation demanding justice for Sanaton Athokpam, a 5th semester MBBS student who was found dead at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal intensified on Saturday as the people staged sit-ins, took out rally and blocked the roads in Khurai area by burning old tyres.
Markets and roads wore a deserted look as shut down was imposed in Khurai area. Justice for Sanaton Athokpam (JSA) in association with local clubs and Meira Paibi groups of Khurai area staged sit-ins at Khurai Heikrumakhong, Lamlong Keithel, Khurai Thangjam Leirak, Khurai Thoudam Leikai, amongst others. The Khurai Lamlong Keithel was shut for the day. All the shops were also closed.
Speaking to media persons, JSA convenor Moirangthem Loyalakpa said that the people have been demanding to probe the death of Sanaton who was found hanging inside his room at the RIMS hostel. Although chief minister N Biren Singh has assured the case will be investigated within 15 days, there has been no lead in the investigation so far, he added.
He also lamented that the First Information Report (FIR) has not been lodged till date. The hostel warden should be under suspension during the period of the investigation, he demanded. It was unfortunate that the RIMS authority has not expressed anything about the death so far. Until the truth is found, the JSA along with CSOs will continue agitations, he added.
Namdunglong Women Society also staged a sit-in at Namdunglong. The president of the women society Phuomei Aguilu expressed frustration that no probe has been initiated in the case so far even after 20 days since Sanaton’s death. The leaders should know what will happen if the students of the state are killed in such a manner. The parents might feel reluctant to send their wards to RIMS, she added.
At around 3.00 pm, the women from different places who were staging sit-ins took out a rally from Khurai Lamlong Keithel towards Telipati. They shouted slogans to remove the RIMS director and waden of the hostel. A large contingent of Imphal East police stopped them at Hatta. The women sat on the road for nearly one hour blocking the vehicular movement.
At around 3.45 pm, the protestors blocked the road and set aflame old tyres at Khurai Thangjam Leikai.