JAC in connection with Lilong incident submits 7 points memorandum to CM, sets 48-hours to fulfil their demands; Proscribed RPF claims responsibility

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the mass killing and brutal act of miscreants at Lilong Chingjao has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, by placing seven charter of demands to be fulfilled by the state government within 48 hours.

The charter of demands included handing over the investigation of the incident to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), suitable government jobs to be conferred to the kins of the victims who had been killed in that incident, Rs. 20 (Twenty) Lakhs per death victim to be paid as ex-gratia by the state government immediately and 2 (two) Lakhs per injured victim to be paid. All the expenditures incurred for the treatment of the injured persons should be borne by the state government till recovery of the injured victims.The memorandum also stated that other than the established Central and State forces and agencies, any other voluntary or independent organizations should not be allowed to enter in the Meitei-Pangal (Muslims) inhabited areas of Manipur afterwards. If any such organization requires to enter the said Meitei-Pangal inhabited areas, they should inform and consult the local club/organisation first.

The Committee also demanded that the state government must give permission to the formation of Meitei-Pangal Village Protection Force (MPVPF) in all Meitei-Pangal inhabited areas of Manipur with immediate effect.

The JAC has given an ultimatum for 48 hours to the State government to fulfil the demands; failing which the dead bodies should not claimed by the Committee and relatives. It also warned that if the demands are not fulfilled by the state government within the stipulated time, the JAC, in consultation with the CSOs of Manipur would launch further agitation regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, the proscribed RPF has claimed responsibility for the Lilong incident. The proscribed outfit Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), while claiming responsibility, stated that the incident occurred after its cadres attempted to apprehend one drug snuggler Md. Hassan son of (Late) Md. Habbibur of Lilong Chingjao under Lilong Police Station, Thoubal District.

In a press release signed by the outfit, Assistant Secretary Publicity Bangkim said members of STAFORCE (Special Task Force) of the outfit formed on July 7, 1998, said the outfit went to pick up Md. Hassan, who had been warned multiple times to stop drug smuggling. However, a large crowd in the area gathered and attacked the members of the STAFORCE while they were taking Md. Hassan, it said.

The proscribed outfit continued that members of the STAFORCE fired several shots in the air as a warning when the large crowd tried to snatch their weapons, but the crowd did not retreat. In self-defence, the cadres had no choice but to retaliate by letting off Md. Hassan, whom they had picked up, for their safety.

Expressing condolences for the deaths of the four individuals and sharing the pain of those injured during the incident, the outfit further promised to conduct an inquiry to find out how the incident had happened.