3rd death anniversary of Manorama observed

Imphal, July 11: Manipur today observed the third death anniversary of Manorama Devi, who was killed by the 17 Assam Rifles on July 11, 2004.

The Joint Action Committee, against the killing, paid floral tributes to Manorama devi's photograph at her residence in Bamon Kampu, Imphal East.

Manorama's body was cremated by state government in July 2004 after the JAC refused to take the body until AFSPA was repealed.

Her last rites have not been performed, JAC stated.

Manorama Devi was apprehended by the 17 AR troops and was killed.

Her death had led to a major crisis in the state demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.

Earlier Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced a review of the AFSPA and Justice Reddy Commission had recommended the repeal of the Act, which was considered draconian.

However, under intense pressure from the general mass Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had announced that AFSPA had been repealed from the Imphal Municipal areas from 2004 onwards.

UNI