Justice for Richard Loitam: Protest at Chennai, India

Protest Against the Killing of Richard Loitam

Chennai, 6thMay 2012: Over 300 people from different walks of life and many organizations today came out to protest at Besant Nagar, Chennai, against the brutal murder of Richard Loitam. The protestors together demanded that it is high time the Karnataka Government bring out the culprits and justice be brought to the grieving family as well as to the society. It has also called upon the Karnataka government to take action against the Acharya NRV school of Architecture management for their negligence, false accusation and the cover-up in the death of Richard Loitam.

The gathering stood in silence and prayed for two minutes for the departed soul. Slogans were shouted, banners and placards were held by the participants

 

Many people demanded swift action against the heinous murder. Below comments are from some of our speakers:-

 

Sarungbam Bonny (Student)- It says India is the biggest democratic country. But here, it is suppressing the minorities, hiding the truth, discrimination and so on. Is it not sowing seeds for unwanted tyranny? Are we living in a democratic country or some Facist country?”

 

Dilbir Soram (Associate Engineer, Caterpillar) – “Almost one month has passed but the college is still hiding the merciless murder. What is the college upto? Are they fearing reputatiuon loss?”

 

Vicky (Senior Software Engineer, TCS) – “ We beared the freedom struggle together believing we are brothers & sisters. But why such an act of injustice? We demand justice and only justice”

Seema Shijagurumayum (Product Manager, Redington India Ltd)– “This collective voice will not die down till the justice is granted. We are here as a human being feeling for another human being. Why can’t the college authorities do the same? ”

 

 Raviratan (Team Leader, Taj Club House)– We need a fair justice. We are all Indians. Please treat us as one.

Tai-Niyu (Student, Apollo Engineering College))- “We are often bullied as Chinky.  If we are not safe in our own country, where are we safe?

Richard Loitam was a 19 year old student from Manipur, who was a Architecture student (1st Year) at Archarya NRV School of Architecture, Bangalore. On the afternoon of 18th April, 2012 .Richard was found dead on his hostel room bed in a pool of blood with multiple injuries to his body and bleeding from his eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The signs on his body, which can still be seen in photographs, bear clear and distinctive signs which could have come only from being assaulted and battered. However, many conflicting reasons have been assigned as the cause of his death even before the details of the post mortem are made available, which raises concern and worry that certain vested interest individuals might not want the exact cause of death to come out and are trying to cover up the whole issue. Richard’s parents who are devastated by the irreplaceable loss are convinced that their son died of campus violence as there are indications and witness accounts of Richard having an altercation with other students on the evening of 17th April, the night before his death. Accordingly, they approached the authorities of the Institute to carry out a thorough, fair and transparent investigation so that justice is done and the culprits, if any, are brought to book. Even after the passage of reasonable time, the authorities of Acharya NRV School of Architecture, Bangalore did nothing of significance, thereby prompting the parents of Richard to approach the police for help. The local police have not done a proper investigation into the matter, nor has the college authorities co-operated with the investigation thereby giving a sense of frustration and restlessness to the family and near ones of Richard.

 

The protest campaign was organized by volunteers of Justice for Loitam Richard Group Chennai.

 * Photo Courtesy: Premjit Ningthouja

* The Press Release is sent to KanglaOnline by Roger A. He can be reached at dickysolo{@}gmail{dot}com