Imphal, May 03: Demanding withdrawal of the decision taken by the Cabinet of the SPF Government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for providing guns to the people of Heirok and Chajing through creating posts of Special Police Officers (SPOs) on the line of Jammu & Kashmir, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup would be taking out a mass protest rally at Imphal on May 11 .

The protest march would be flagged off from THAU Ground, Thangmeiband and culminate at Hafta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound where a public meeting would be held.

All the people have been asked to come and participate in the protest march as well as in the public meeting to raise voice in union against any attempt to convert Manipur into a killing field.

It is said that some of the slogans to be shouted during the protest march include 'No killing without trial', 'No to levelling of false charges after being killed','Armed conflict should be resolved through political solution', 'Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act', 'Stop State-sponsored terrorism at once', 'Say no to fratricidal killing', etc.

Announcing this during a press conference at the office of HERICOUN here this evening, representatives of the Apunba Lup informed that the protest march to be taken under the banner of 'No to killing of innocent people and with trial.

Armed conflict should be resolved through political solution' would be followed by a public meeting.

Condemning the approval of the SPF Government to the decision of the Cabinet for issuing guns to the people of Heirok and Chajing, the representatives strongly contended that the decision of the Cabinet is to encourage bloodshed among the brethren and so it would be withdrawn immediately.

L Memchoubi, a member of the Apunba observed inspite of the public outcry against excesses of the security forces under the guise of imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the wake of brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama by the Assam Rifles, there has been no let up to the atrocities on innocent people of the State.

Another member of the Apunba Lup AK Janaki Leima demanded to know the identity of the UG groups indulging in killing and kidnapping of Government officials for ransom and categorically stated that revolutionary outfits should stop killing people in the name of the movement at once.

The UG oufits that have entered ceasefire agreement with the Government should also stop levying of illegal taxes along the National Highways and extorting money from the people, she said, adding that killing of a person without any trial and levelling charges after being killed is condemnable.

Opining that the decision of the State Goverment to provide guns to the people of Heirok and Chajing is equally condemnable as such a move would only encourage more killing and bloodshed in the State, Janaki wondered whether the Government is trying to set up an armed group under its patronage.

Keisam Taruni, a member of the Apunba Lup questioned the logic behind the move being made by the State Government to provide arms to the people with the approval of the Centre.

Such a move is to instigate killing among the brothers and sisters of the same family and should be opposed at any cost, Taruni stated.

In response to queries raised by mediapersons, representatives of the Apunba Lup said that in connection with the Heirok incident, they had gone but as the matter had turned into a personal issue and other social organisations have been asked to stay away, the Apunba Lup too stay away from the issue.

Seeking the co-operation of the transporters in connection with the proposed protest march on May 11, the representatives of the Apunba Lup further appealed to all concerned to refrain from calling any bandh or blockade on the said day.

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