'Announce repeal of AFSPA officially by Nov 19,' NCC, Hindi on chopping block
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 15:
In a surprise development that could have far reaching consequences, the Apunba Lup, which is spear heading the agitation against the AFSPA, today said that if no official announcement that AFSPA would be repealed is forthcoming from the Centre by November 19 then they will intensify the agitation and indefinitely ban NCC and teaching Hindi from November 20.The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive here on November 20.Speaking to newsmen at AMSU headquarters today evening, spokespersons of Apunba Lup, K Sunil, Sapamcha Kangleipal and Y Devadutta said that the movement against the AFSPA is still on and added that if there is no official announcement from the Indian Government that the APFSA will be repealed by November 19, then an indefinite ban will be clamped on NCC and teaching of Hindi again.
The agitation will also be intensified, they announced.
Irom Sharmila Chanu is still on a fast unto death agitation and the embers of the self immolation of Pebam Chittaranjan are still die to down, they said and reminded all of the nude protest staged by women in front of Kangla on July 15 against the continued imposition of the AFSPA.
All these were done to repeal the AFSPA from the entire State and nothing less, they contended and added that until and unless this Act is totally lifted from the State, there will no change of stance on the part of the Apunba Lup.
Reasoning that the people of Manipur have no reason to believe the political leadership of Delhi, the spokespersons said that in the past too the Centre had reneged on a number of assurances.
The proposed visit of the Prime Minister has nothing to do with the Apunba Lup, they said adding that till date they (Lup) have not decided on whether to meet Dr Manmohan Singh or not, claimed the spokespersons.
It is unfortunate that certain elements have been trying to confuse the people on the withdrawal of the Act and they said and added that reviewing the Act is the solution.
Meanwhile the coordinator of the Apunba Lup, Y Devadutta in a statement today said that their demand is not reviewing or replacing the Act but its complete repeal from the State.
The demand for the complete revocation of AFSPA from Manipur still stands, said the statement and added that there will be no compromise on this point.