IT News
Imphal, May 3
Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students (DAMMS) observed 27th anniversary of Pangal’s Black Day in commemoration to the tragic incident of May 3, 1993 at which over 100 Pangal were died in dirty clash due to misunderstandings.
Victims of that heinous genocidal act included children, pregnant women and many helpless labourers.
In the aftermath, in addition to the fear and ravages felt by bereaved family members, Pangals, at large, have had discernible psychological trauma with feelings of distrust, insecurity and helplessness. Many started fleeing from their villages as they no longer felt secured staying there. Many were turned into destitute in their own homeland.
A statement by DAMMS said that 27 years have passed but not even an ounce of justice has been delivered either from both of the main culprits i.e the majority community or the state government to the bereaved families.
“Is this because Pangals have been unable to represent proportionately in the state machinery? Or is it the way it should be for being a minority?” The DAMMS questioned.
The statement further said that still this state of hysteria perpetuates in the form of subjecting Pangals to many stereotypical labels like-pangals are parsimonious, they tend to produce more offsprings, they are thieves, drug peddlers, they hide Rohingyas among them, etc and commiting in successive lynchings of Pangals. These prejudices and stereotypes are well used by the media and the so called Meitei intelligentsia and to help project Pangals as a degraded community who aren’t fit to be on equal status with them. This is the highest form of manufacturing hatred which is, no doubt, the first steps of any genocide wherever recorded.
The Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students (DAMMS) demanded to Constitute an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) and ensure all the perpetrators are made public with their deserved punishment. It also urged the state to compensate the bereaved family members and all those destitutes brought about by the incident.
DAMMS further demanded the majority community to make a public apology to the Pangals at large and ensure similar incidents will not happen again.