Imphal, September 24: Responding to the call of the Apunba Lup, sit-in-protests were held all over the State today, demanding the complete revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State.

The introduction of the Unified Command structure with the Chief Minister as its chairman was also strongly condemned during today's mass protests.

At Chingkai Khullen and Khamenlok in Senapati district, people of different communities representing the Kukis, Tangkhuls and Meiteis came out as one to protest against the Act.

Organised by the Chingtam Apunba Lup under the overall aegis of the Apunba Lup, villagers of Chanung, Thingjang, Jouland, L Changang, S Phailenkot and Chingkai Khullen participated in a sit-in-protest at the ground of Chingkai Khullen today.

Slogans were also raised demanding the revocation of AFSPA.

Headman of Chingkai, Athang Guite said that Act should be withdrawn immediately from the entire State and assured to extend all co-operation to any agitation called by the Apunba Lup.

Villagers of Nongdam, Khongbal Tangkhul, Goujang, Khamenlok, H Khupibong, Thambol, Songjang, Chalouphai and Aiyang also staged a sit-in-protest today.

Participants observed a two minute silence to pay respect to the departed souls of Th Manorama, Pastor Jamkholet Khong-sai, Pebam Chittaranjan and K Memita.

Slogans against the AFSPA were also raised during the protest demonstration.

Similar sit-in-protests were also held at different places of Imphal East today.

Eastern Clubs Development Organisation, the umbrella organisation of all the local clubs, meira paibi lups and voluntary organisations of Tumukhong and Nungaipokpi in Andro AC, staged sit-in-protests and burnt effigies and staged a Wakat Khongjang demonstration.

Around 300 women drawn from different communities staged a sit-in-protest from 8 am at the Nongpok Panthoibi ground, Tumukhong.

Effigies of the Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and Andro AC MLA S Chandra were also burnt by protestors of Moirangpurel, Leisiphung, Rishuphung, Thangjingpokpi, Maphou Dam, Loukhong, Nongdam Tangkhul, Maphou Kuki and Kamu.

Around 300 women of Itham, Keithelmanbi, Kamuching, Bewlahland, Molnom, Molkon, Chaningpokpi, Saichang, Songphen, Bongyang and 50 students of EM Standard High School, Keithelmanbi staged a sit-in-protest at the Lairembi ground at Laikhong from 8 am till 3 pm today.

A number of leaders from the Apunba Lup addressed the gathering.

At Leirongthal Pitra Community Hall under Heirok Assembly Constituency in Thoubal district, around 150 women of Nongbram, Nungaipokpi, Ngamukhong from Imphal East staged a sit-in-protest.

Later effigies of the PM, Union HM, CM and local MLA N Sovakiran were consigned to the flames.

In connection with today's protest, the Eastern Development Organisation also imposed a general strike from 6 am till 6 pm in all the areas under its jurisdiction.

A similar sit-in-protest was also staged at Moirang Kampu community hall organised by the Moirang Kampu Sajed Women's Welfare Association.

The protest also spilled onto the Khwairamband bazar with all the women vendors staging a sit-in-protest and suspending their service for the day from 10 am.

Apart from demanding the complete revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, the women also strongly condemned the introduction of the Unified Command structure with the Chief Minister as the chairman.

In response to the call of the Apunba Lup, majority of the shops at Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar remained closed for the day.

The protest was held till 4 pm.

A sit-in-protest organised by the Kabui Samaj Association was also held at Kakhulong today.

Meira paibis of the locality and elders took part in the protest demonstration.

The sit-in-protest started from 11 am and stretched on till 4 pm.

Nupi Lups of ten leikais Keishamthong AC staged a sit-in-protest in front of Hotel Excellency on the Tiddim line.

Similar protests were organised by the Poirei Lei- marol Meira Paibi Apunba, at Khoyathong Bazar today.

At Nambol Bazar, police swung into action to disperse protestors staging dharnas organised by Nambol Area Joint Action Committee in association with Oinam Meira Paibi Lup.

Despite that, protestors continue their agitations till late afternoon.

Kabui Mothers� Association staged a protest demonstration from 11 am to 4 pm at Kakhulong Bazar today.

At Sekmai Bazar, around 600 womenfolks staged a dharna from 10 am to 3 pm.

The protest demonstration was organised by Advanced Women�s Society, Awang Sekmai.

At Langdum Khunjin Waiting Shed, around 200 womenfolk including the members of Women�s Welfare Assn today staged a dharna.

Later the women protestors burnt the effigies of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Around 400 people sat on a protest demonstration at Sekta Bazar today.

The demonstration organised by Sekta Nupee Meira Paibi Marup was held from 10 am to 4 pm.

200 people also took part in a sit-in-protest demonstration at Khongman Zone-4/5.The protest demonstration was organised under the aegis of Miyamgi Yaipha Nupi Lup, Khongman.

Women activists of Nongmeibung Nupi Lup along with students of Thamchet Girls� Junior School; Nongmeibung Primary School; Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy; Lalit Kala Sangam, Nongmeibung members of CORE today staged a protest demonstration at Nongmeibung Bazar market shed.

Sit-in-protest demonstration were also held Sangakpham Bazar, Porompat Thawanthaba Leikai u at Singjamei Super Market, Ishok Bazar, Lairik Yengbam Leikai, Yaiskul Police Lane, Brahmapur Aribam Leikai, etc.

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