Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16:
To express their solidarity to the public demand for removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur and giving fitting punishment to those AR personnel responsible for brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama.
and Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai, hundreds of Manipuri film artistes, technicians including directors and producers yesterday took out a silent procession from Arambam Nityananda to RIMS Hospital, Lamphel.
The event was organized by the joint forum of All Manipur Film Producers Association, All Manipur Video Film Makers and Producers' Association and Cine Exhibitors' Association of Manipur.
When the demonstrators arrived at RIMS Hospital, 22 of them donated their blood for the sake of those persons who sustained injuries in police action during the course of the ongoing agitation.
The forum also donated Rs 3000 each to the emergency relief committees being opened at RIMS Hospital and JN Hospital.
Later in the afternoon, a joint meeting of the forum was held wherein it was resolved to stop all film activists including film shooting and exhibition of film related programmes at halls as well as on local cable TV networks till the demands of the people are fulfilled and normalcy returned in Manipur.
A mass rally was also taken out by the people of Sagang area on August 14 from Sagang Bazar to Sagang public playground to press the demand for scrapping black laws and punishment of killers of Manorama and Jamkholet.
Effigy of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was also burnt by the protestors at the occasion.
In a unique show of solidarity to the public cause, Sana Pokpa Chakpa Branch, Khurai Meiyek Sangbi Research Centre has unfurled its flag at half-mast since yesterday.
Meanwhile, Naoriya Pangkhanglakpa Kendra Clubs' Co-ordinating Committee while announcing its decision to intensify the ongoing agitation has flayed the Central leaders for trying to mislead the mainstream Indian population on the true cause of Manipuri people.
The Committee has also come out strongly against used of force by State police personnel on the protestors as well as banning of local cable TV network ISTV by the State Govt.Meanwhile, to intensify the ongoing agitation, Working Committee of Apunba Lup, Thoubal District has announced that all the students in schools and colleges in the district would start wearing black badges from tomorrow and black flags with demand for removal of AFSPA inscribed in red colour on it would be hoisted in all the educational institutions.
Committee for Peace and Integrity, Imphal East has also announced to organize a mass protest rally on August 19 along Porompat Road.
The Committee has also strongly objected to partial lifting of the Act instead of people's demand for complete lifting from the whole of Manipur.