Thoubal, June.3: A sit-in-protest against the killing of Arambam Shanti has demanded the immediate removal of the Assam Rifles from Manipur maintaining that it will assist in restoring tranquility in the state after accusing its personnel posted at Moreh of involvement in the “terrorist attack” on May 22 last that caused her death.
The protest was participated by representatives of many civil society organizations at Leimajam Community Hall at Keishampat here today.
Speaking at the demonstration site, a leader of a prominent woman organization stated that there are concrete evidences of the involvement of security force personnel belonging to Assam Rifles Moreh post in her killing. A Gypsy jeep belonging to AR was noticed parked outside the house of the deceased right before and after the killing, she said. Moreover, witnesses claimed seeing the paramilitary personnel collecting the used gun shells from the crime scene and taking them away sabotaging the investigation, according to her.
She further added that the main accused was taken into their custody by the paramilitary but arbitrarily freed on their own accord and overlooking their obligation to the legal procedure.
There is absolutely no doubt about the involvement of AR personnel in her murder. This is an open secret among all people living in the neighborhood where the crime took place. Only thing is they are afraid to point their fingers at the AR because of the question of their own safety, she stated.
The participants at the protest also called for the revival of the Moreh Municipal Council maintaining that every town needs an elected body to look after the needs and crisis related to the civilian population.