Newmai News Network
IMPHAL | August 16
Students marched a 'silent rally' in the streets of Imphal on Friday to mark the 15th death anniversary of Pebam Chittaranjan, the student who sacrificed his life by self-immolation demanding complete repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPA).
28-year-old student Pebam immolated himself on August 15, 2004 when there was a mass uprising across in Manipur demanding repeal of the AFSPA after Assam Rifles troopers killed Thangjam Manorama after she was picked up on the allegations that she was associated with a rebel group.
Pebam Chittaranjan succumbed to his injuries the next day at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital, Imphal where he was admitted with 85 per cent burns. He was an advisor of Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF).
Commemorating the ‘supreme sacrifices’ made by student leader, MSF has been observing the day under the theme “To Excel Right to Life”.
Like in the previous years, MSF organised a 'silent rally' in the streets of Imphal with the active participation by hundreds of students from various schools. The rally kicked started from Pebam’s Kwakeithel in Imphal West, the birth place of the student leader, and culminated at THAU Ground in Imphal were the main commemoration function was held.
Leaders of civil society organisations and human right activists who spoke on the occasion expressed disappointment while alleging the government’s adamant attitude towards repealing the AFSPA despite strong opposition from the people agaisnt the act.
Alleging that black laws are the root cause of social problems being faced by the people, MSF president Ng Milan stressed the need for united struggle to repeal black laws like AFSPA. "The black laws curtailed the right to life and when there is no right to live, how can students remain confine in class room", he asked. “There is no reason for learning when right to life has been denied", he added.
The student leader then said that MSF has been campaigning against the black laws and will continue to do so.
He then urged that Centre and the state government to allow people of the state to enjoy the basic human rights while fully implementing the right to education, a fundamental right enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
Bishnupur district unit of MSF also observed the day at the district headquarters where Pebam self-immolated.
Among others, family members including the mother of Pebam took part in the floral tributes at the statue of the student leader who made the supreme sacrificed and at the spot where he self-immolated as well.
Pebam's aged mother Sorojini said that time has come to unite in the fight against the black laws.
