IMPHAL, August 8: Commemorating the one month death anniversary of young student Sapam Robinhood who died due to police action on July 8 during an ILPS rally, more than 200 two-wheelers took out a rally around the State capital.
Showing solidarity to the late student`™s family and the ILPS movement, the rally commenced from Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai and after passing through Khurai Lamlong and Ayangpalli Road and continuing till Khagempalli returned to Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School.
People attending the rally offered floral tributes to a life-size picture of Robinhood at his former school.
The rally was participated by mostly women in their mourning clothes who shouted slogans demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar act and waved black flags.
It was organised by the JAC formed in connection to the death of the class XI student.
Later womenfolk of Nongmeibung area and students also staged a sit in protest in front of the Ananda Higher Secondary School by blocking the road.
Sit in protests were also held at various places including at Wangkhei Meihoubam Lampak, Palace Gate, Khurai, Singjamei, Canchipur, Yumnam Leikai.
In the evening the whole valley districts were illuminated as people lit candles in front of their gates remembering Sapam Robinhood.
Torch rallies were also taken out at several places in the State capital voicing demands for the ILPS or a similar act later in the evening.
NNN adds: Commenting on the rather-late action of the government in the suspending police personnel, the JAC formed in connection to the death of Sapam Robinhood opined that the suspension of only some low-ranking personnel is an attempt to eye-wash the people of Manipur and an effort to forcefully slow down the momentum of the ongoing widespread agitation.
It, instead, demanded action to be taken to those police officers who ordered the firing that resulted in the death of Robinhood.
If the government fails to punish the police officers who are the actual culprits, the JAC announced that it will not withdraw its agitations.
Also, thousands of locals of Khurai side came out in the streets at Lamlong area and blocked the Imphal Ukhrul road for a while. At 2.55 pm exact, the timing when Robinhood died on this day last month, the protestors observed two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul of Robinhood. They also shouted several slogans demanding implementation of ILP system, protection of indigenous people of Manipur and also hailing the good soul of Robinhood.
Showing solidarity to bereaved family of Sapam Robinhood and supporting ILP demand, all the houses in valley districts lighted candles in their respective as a mark of respect.