Torture victims demand safety guarantee from Manipur CM

Imphal, June 08: The victims of Assam Rifles reprisals following the May 17 ambush near Leplen Kuki village in Ukhrul district have demanded an ironclad guarantee of safety for the villagers from the chief minister, O Ibobi Singh, and the commanding officer of the 25 Assam Rifles. The chairman of the relief committee formed to aid the victims, Ngamjalen Singsit, told media persons at a press conference held at JN Hospital that the victims are still afraid to return to their villages without such a guarantee. Singsit acknowledged that the chief minister O Ibobi had provided a sum of Rs 10,000 to aid the relief efforts for the victims, while many other MLAs and ordinary individuals have also donated money for the victims. A total of Rs 3800 has been collected for the relief efforts, he revealed. He added that food requirements of the victims were taken care of by various church and tribal organizations of the Imphal area. The victims however expressed resentment against the forest and environment minister C Doungel whom they accuse of not having done enough for the victims, many of whom belong to his constituency, though he did donate an amount of Rs 2000. The victims also said that the events of May 27 and its aftermath may be the result of a conspiracy by the NSCN (IM) and the government of India, as the NSCN (IM) wants both Ukhrul and Senapati districts to merge into Nagaland. They also expressed their gratitude to the SFI, AMUCO, and other organizations for their help. The SFI had provided medicines to the victims who were unable to buy them. The victims also declared that if their plight and that of their fellow villagers remains unheard by the state government, they would approach the National Human Rights Commission, and if need be, they would knock the doors of Amnesty International.