State-wide rally held against mob lynching Manipur

State-wide rally held against mob lynching

Condemning the rise in mob lynching in the state, several organisations, clubs and Meira Paibis, and security personnel carried out rallies at different districts of the state since yesterday.

In Thoubal district, several torch rallies were held at several areas of Thoubal district. At the peace rally of torch bearers held today evening at the playground of Yairipok Singa, the public raised slogans such as ‘Investigate the truth behind Farooque’s death’,’ We condemn the act of mob lynching’, ‘Such crime must not happen again’ and others.

The rally was attended by clubs and organisations of Yairpok Singa such as S.D.A, S.I.C, Y.P.C, WMDA of Wangkhem Muslim Leikai, PYC of Phouden and ELYSA of Phouden Maning and their workers.

In the meantime, SADO Heirok, YBC Heirok and Ningol club Heirok jointly organised a rally at Heirok against mob lynching and mob justice. Those who attended the rally appealed that people should report to court and police for investigating the crime instead of turning to Mob justice. It was stated at the rally that the people should not take law into their hands, and it should be respected instead.

Public rallies were also held at several areas of Kakching district against mob justice. Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation (JNGVO), Kakching and All Kakching Students Union (AKSU) Kakching along with women vendors and the general public held a rally at Kakching bazaar. Torches were lit up at Irabot Park where demands were made to stop mob justice.

Another rally was held at Sugnu Area by civil voluntary organisations of Sugnu Area along with the public and Sugnu police police. Rallies were also taken out at Waikhong bazaar and Sekmaijin Bazaar.

Yesterday, rallies were held at the surrounding areas of Moijing and Leisangthem by members of Educational Guide Center Thoubal Moijing, Leisangthem Zilla Parishad, pradhan of Moijing GP, clubs and organisations, while Meira Paibis expressed strong condemnations against mob justice.

In Chandel district, NEMCS and OTBP organised torch rallies in the evening yesterday. It was attended by village chiefs, members of women’s society, All Chandel Badminton Association, Royal Riders Chandel, Chandel Football Friends, Japhou Bazaar Authorities, self-help groups and the public amounting to a total of around 700 people.

In Tengnoupal district, a peace rally against mob lynching was organised today by district administration and district police Tengnoupal district headquarters.

Around 250 persons including students of St Peter’s School, Tengnoupal district led by SP Tengnoupal, S. Ibomcha Singh, Tengnoupal Village Chief, Pu John Mate, OC of Tengnoupal, inspector John Lamkang, KSO Tengnoupal, KWUHR, Tengnoupal, village authorities and others took part in the rally.

Placards which read ‘Respect law’, ‘Down with mob lynching’, ‘We are not wild animals’, ‘Value Human Life’, ‘Mob Justice is Injustice’ etc were displayed. Candles were also lighted as a part of the demonstration.

Also, district administration of Tamenglong organised a peace rally against the practice of mob lynching today.

The rally commenced from Jadonang Park, passed through the main traffic point of Tamenglong District Headquarter and concluded at the Park. Participants at the rally held candles along with placards denouncing mob justice.

Before the start of the rally, SDO Tamenglong, Kachamthai Faiga Gangmei addressed the public during which he pointed out that the public frequently took the law in their own hands on many occasions. There is law agency to take appropriate action and punish any culprits, he said while adding any wrong doings should be reported to the authority concerned on time.

Superintendent of police, Tamenglong, Ningshem Vasum stated that in Imphal, a mob had attacked and lynched the culprits while burning down the house and destroyed properties of the culprits. “This kind of mob action should be stop at any cost. There is law agency to implement law and orders in the state,” he added.

In Jiribam, the Meitei Pangal Women Development and Welfare Association (MPWDWA), Jiribam and Oriental Club (OC), Babupara, Jiribam organised a candle light protest against the mob lynching culture in the State on September 18 at Babupara.

The protesters lit candles and displayed placards which read ‘Down with Mob Lynching’, ‘We Want peace’, ‘We condemn killing of Farooque’ and ‘Eradicate mob lynching culture from Manipur” amongst others.

Speaking to the media person, president of MPWDWA, Jeida Begum condemned the recent incident of mob lynching which took place on September 13 at Tharoijam village of Patsoi Constituency while also making an appeal to all irrespective of caste, creed and religion to get rid of mob lynching. “Such acts will never bring peace and it is against the law”, she added.

The protesters later observed a 2-minute silence in honour of the deceased, Farooque and also shared in the grief of bereaved family.

Source Imphal Free Press