IMPHAL, November 11: Students of the staged a protest rally to condemn quantum increase in rape cases in recent times in the State which has brought about a fear psychosis amongst women, in particular girl students.
The mass protest organised by the All Manipur Students Union, AMSU, was triggered by the recent rape and killing of a minor girl.
Students of DM College, Imphal Public School, Nirmalabas School, Leisemba Maheikol School, Brajalal Institute of Science, Oriental College, Hindi Teacher’s College and those of many other educational institutions of the State took part in the protest condemning the series of crimes against women and children.
Speaking to the media at the head office of the students’ organisation located at DM College premises, AMSU President Naresh Thiyam said it is unfortunate that the State Government has failed to control the worsening law and order situation in regard to crime against women. He questioned the concerned authorities for the delay in booking the culprit.
He said that the student organisation strongly condemns the silence of education Minister M Okendra Singh. He urged education Minister to take up measures for the safety of students in particular girls.
The student union president also warned the State Government to take up action against those involved in crime or else the students would have to resort to stronger forms of agitations.
Meanwhile, another sit-in protest against the alleged rape and brutal murder of a girl last Sunday was held at Wangbal Keithel demanding punitive actions against the culprit and the protection of the lives of students.
Meanwhile, the prime accused in the killing of girl, Thiyam Sureshkumar, 21, son of Th Ingocha who was produced before the court of the CJM, Thoubal Ngaineikim Shoute has been remanded under police custody for seven days after a request by the Investigating Officer to the court for further interrogation.
Sureshkumar was handed over to the Thoubal Police Station after being arrested by a Thoubal Police Commando team at the Sugnu area in the early morning yesterday. He will be produced before the same court on November 17.
Sources said the last rites of the deceased girl was performed after her dead body was taken back with the permission of her family members from the JNIMS morgue today.
A representative of the JAC against the killing has however stated that the JAC would not withdraw its agitations until their various demands are met.
In the sit-in protest organised by the JAC, people displayed various placards reading, “Hang the Killer”, “Respect Women”, “We are against the killing of women”, “Punish the Murderer”, “Save the lives of Students” and “Don’t try to save the Killer” were displayed.
The chairman of the JAC, H Dijen who took part in the sit-in protest, said it is the time for people to collectively make an effort to fight the ever increasing crimes against women in the State.
He also appreciated the protests, and condemnation pouring in, from various clubs and civil organisations against the recent killings of girls on behalf of the JAC.
The JAC has taken several steps to prevent such crimes against women in the State in the future, he said, adding that it wouldn’t relent until severe punishment is meted out to Sureshkumar who is involved in the gruesome murder.
We took the decision of taking back the dead body after considering the distress which the family members of the deceased going through, he maintained.