IMPHAL, September 3: The Tangkhul Scholars`™ Association (TSA) in the strongest terms condemned the brutality of the State forces meted out to the protestors at Churachandpur in which eight persons including a 12-year old boy were killed besides injuring more than 30 people during protests on August 31 and September 1 in condemnation of the introduction of three bills passed in the State Assembly on August 31.
In a statement, the TSA said it is horrified to take notice of the present State governments`™ law enforcement which has turned into complete state-sponsored terrorism under the barrel of gun, targeting the helpless tribal communities in the State.
Every sane person would question the rationale behind firing automatic weapons on the protestors, it stated.
“The cruel act of the government on August 31 and September 1 once again reminds us of the brutal killing of two civilians and injuring many people exactly a year back in Ukhrul on August 30, 2014 by Manipur Police Commando and Indian Reserved Battalion. This is nothing but an expression of naked aggression on the minority communities by the state machinery,`™`™ the statement contended.
Claiming that the three bills passed by the Assembly without consulting the hills people is an attempt to infringe on the indigenous rights of the hills people of Manipur, the TSA demanded immediate inquiry into the indiscriminate firing by the Commandos and punishment to those involved in the mindless killing.
It also demanded name of the officials and Minister responsible for the killing be made public.