IT News
Imphal, July 11:
The memorial event organized by Thangjam Manorama Memorial Charitable Trust and Apunba Lup to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Thangjam Manorama’s death, who was killed by Assam Rifles after being brutally tortured, concluded with calls for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The event took place today at Bamonkampu Mayai Leikai Community Hall near Pioneer Academy, to honour Manorama’s memory and reflect on the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in Manipur. It drew active participation from various community members and human rights activists.
Speakers at the event included Phulindro Konsam and Joy Chingakham, Coordinators of Apunba Lup, Thiyam Nilbir, President of Thangjam Manorama Memorial Charitable Trust, and Hirom Landhoni, President of Bamonkampu Khabam Meira Paibi.
Thiyam Nilbir highlighted the significant toll of lives lost under AFSPA, citing official records of approximately 1,500 deaths, with unofficial estimates suggesting around 10,000 people have died under the Act.
In the keynote address, National Security Act (NSA), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and other draconian laws rooted in colonial oppression have been condemned. It detailed AFSPA’s impact on Manipur’s citizens, citing numerous cases of arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings by security forces. He recounted the experiences of individuals like Mangboi Lhouvam from Chalwa village and Jiteswar, Satish, Naobi, RK Ranel, and Prem, who faced severe human rights abuses under the Act.
The event also revisited Thangjam Manorama’s case, one of the most notorious instances of AFSPA-related violence. On July 10, 2004, Manorama was picked from her home by the 17th Assam Rifles under the pretext of questioning and later found brutally tortured and killed.
As a tribute to Manorama’s memory, the event concluded with the decision to establish a memorial site named Bamon Kampu Leitambi Chingdon Khongnangkhong.
