Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05:
The 36-hour long Statewide general strike being called by Jiribam District Demand Committee in pursuance of its demand to upgrade Jiribam Sub-Division of Imphal East district to a full-fledged revenue district came into effect from 6 pm today.
Reiterating its stand of launching a sustained agitation till the demand is fulfilled, the Demand Committee has sought the support of all the people and organisations in Manipur in their endeavour to get justice.
Essential services will be exempted from including electricity, medical, religious function, etc from the its purview, said convenor of the Demand Committee Y Romio Singh in a statement.
Reacting strongly to remarks of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who had reportedly stated that the demand for upgradation of Jiribam into a full-fledged revenue district is justifiable and it would be announced at an opportune time, the Demand Committee said it is only a ploy to mislead the people of Jiribam.
Asking whether the apprehension of outbreak of social unrest was there ever at the time of creation of Imphal East and Imphal West district, the Demand Committee wondered why the issue of Sadar Hills needlessly being dragged in now.
The Chief Minister should know that the Delimitation Commission has already given its approval to upgradation of Jiribam into a full-fledged revenue district.
The interest of the Jiribam people should not sacrifice on account of the political clash between Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and local MLA and FCS Minister Th Debendra Singh, the Demand Committee added.
In similar vein, AMSU District Committee Jiribam has stated that if Chief Minister O Ibobi State is really apprehensive that the demand for Sadar Hills District would pick up if Jiribam has been upgraded into full-fledged revenue district, then he would be answerable as to why the Armed Forces Special Powers Act has not been removed and efforts are being made to go ahead with construction of the controversial Tipaimukh dam despite strong public protest from all quarters.
Is Ibobi ready to grant the demand for upgradation of Jiribam into a full-fledged revenue district if Debendra announced that he would not contest in the upcoming Assembly election ?, the student body further questioned.
The student body has also announced its unflinching support to the general strike being called and appealed to all the people and organisations to do so for the right cause of the deprived people of Jiribam.