To protest slow pace of investigation in Prashanta's death...48 hours bandh called to up pressure on Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04 2016: The JACs constituted at Kakwa and Lilong in connection with the death of Sagolsem Prashanta have jointly announced a 48-hour State-wide bandh with effect from today midnight.

Speaking at a joint press conference held at UCM office, JAC Kakwa convenor Asem Sunil said that the bandh has been announced to protest the slow pace of investigation.

He demanded the Government to ascertain the actual circumstances leading to Prashanta's death at the earliest.

Sunil said that they were compelled to resume their stir and impose the bandh as the Government has failed to trace the culprits within the stipulated two days.

Protestors blocking the road along Singjamei line-File photo

Taking part at the press conference, JAC Lilong convenor Md Tajuddin said that it is unfortunate that the police have not developed leads on how Prashanta came to Lilong Haoreibi and died there till date.

He said that people must not allow the police to accumulate unsolved cases.

Urging the public not to spread rumours and post provocative comments on social networking sites, he called for putting in collective effort to maintain sanity and harmony.

AMUCO president Y Mani Khuman said that UCM and AMUCO have been playing the mediators' role between the JACs of Kakwa and Lilong since the past few days.

He said that the two CSOs met the executives of the two JACs separately to understand their interests and objectives.

After a series of meetings, the two CSOs noticed that both the JACs want to know the actual circumstances leading to Prashanta's death.

As such, UCM and AMUCO requested the two JACs to go together and jointly press the Government to fulfil their common demand, he said.

As the two JACs have agreed to work together, UCM and AMUCO would extend support and cooperation to all their activities regarding the incident, Mani Khuman said.

Saying that even a slight negligence on the issue may hamper unity, integrity and harmony between the two communities, Mani Khuman urged the Government to be serious and take up immediate steps to resolve the matter.

Speaking at the press conference, UCM president Elangbam Johnson condemned the Government for not finding out the truth regarding the incident till date.

Urging the two JACs to cooperate with each other in resolving the issue, Johnson said that UCM and AMUCO would extend all possible support in exerting pressure on the Government in this regard.

He further said that in an encouraging development, AMUCO, UCM and the two JACs have resolved to check anti-social activities and root out anti-social elements from Lilong area with the help of people and different organisations.