Heeding MANPAC's call, thousands take anti-CAB stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 03 2019: Following the call of MANPAC to stage protests at their respective places against the proposed move to enact the Citizenship Amendment Bill, a large number of womenfolk staged a mass protest in the heart of Imphal at Khwairamband Keithel and other important places today.

MANPAC had given the call to protest following a decision taken at a meeting convened by the North East Forum of Indigenous Peoples (NEFIP).

Under the earlier directive of MANPAC to form a human chain at their respective work places from 11 am to 11.30 am and to raise slogans in unison against CAB, women from the three Ima Keithels and temporary market came out in large drove and staged the protest demonstration by forming a human chain.

Heeding MANPAC's call, thousands take anti-CAB stand

The protest demonstration at Ima Keithel gained momentum after leaders of MANPAC, NEFIP and other civil society organisations joined them.

During the protest, the protesters raised slogans like 'No to CAB in Manipur,' 'No to CAB in North East,' 'Save Indigenous Peoples of Manipur,' 'Long Live Manipur' etc.

A large number of police personnel detailed for duty at Khwairamband Keithel to keep the situation under control, managed to stop the protesters from marching towards Kangla, raising slogans against CAB.

Police personnel of Imphal West including women police personnel were seen deployed at Ima Keithel and its surrounding area to prevent any kind of unwanted incident during the protest demonstration and all the vehicles coming toward Ima Keithel were diverted to alternate routes.

Speaking to the media, convener of MANPAC Sapamcha Jadumani said that today's protest demonstration is a clear message to New Delhi that CAB cannot be imposed in Manipur and North East as a whole.

Today's protest demonstration under the slogan 'No CAB in Manipur and North East' is a part of the decision taken during the first executive council meeting of the North East Forum of Indigenous Peoples (NEFIP) on September 25 at Kohima to protest against CAB in the entire North East.

He further stated that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the Centre fail to hear the voice of North East and impose CAB then the North East States will take steps for their own future independently.

The protest demonstration which started today will continue in the coming days and the line of protest will be announced by MANPAC from time to time, he added.

The MANPAC convener added that the similar kind of protest demonstration is also on in other North East States and the Centre should listen to the voice of opposition raised by the people of the region.

In view of the situation, a large number of police personnel were seen deployed at the entrance gate of Ibotonsana Girls' Higher Secondary School, Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School and CC Higher Secondary School to prevent the students from coming out of their respective schools and stage protest demonstrations.

Students of Johnstone Higher Secondary School however gathered near their entrance gate and raised slogans against CAB.

There was a minor confrontation between the students and police personnel when the former tried to stage a protest demonstration in the middle of the road.

On the other hand despite the heavy security measures, students of CC Higher Secondary School came out from their school campus and stage a protest demonstration in the middle of the road and raised slogans, 'No to CAB in Manipur,' 'Save indigenous peoples,' 'Long live Manipur' etc.

During the protest demonstration vehicles coming along the road were diverted by security personnel of Imphal East district.

The protest demonstration was also carried out at Lamlong Bazar, Tinsid road, Lamphel and other parts of the State.

Mention may be made that six student organizations had strongly condemned the announcement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 4th NEDA conclave at Guwahati on September 8 that CAB will be passed in Parliament and backed the decision of MANPAC to hold the protest demonstrations today.