BJP MPs extend support to people's movement
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 18 2009: Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi should resign from his post as demanded by the people, insisted BJP Parliamentary team who arrived in Imphal on a two-day visit to take stock of the burning situation in the state in the wake of agitations against the 'fake encounter' of July 23 .

"Chief Minister ko jaana hi parega (the Chief Minister must step down), said spokesperson of BJP, Prakash Javedkar who led the five-member Parliamentary team.

Speaking to a gathering at the house of Ch Sanjit, victim of July 23 'fake encounter' at Khurai in Imphal east today, the BJP spokesperson asserted that police are meant for protection of the people.

But in Manipur, they are terrorizing the people.

Members of BJP parliamentary team console mother of Late Sanjit at her home at Khurai Sajor Leikai

In other states of the country, killing people in fake encounter is a rare case compared to Manipur where people witness thousands of such incidents, Javedkar said.

Citing an incident in Gujarat, he said killing of people in a fake encounter occurred around two year back.

The matter reached Supreme Court as people rose up and strongly agitated against the incident.

But in Manipur, despite so many reports of fake encounters, some cases were even exposed with hard evidences, the government has remained silence.

It's an unfortunate thing.

"We are coming here to show solidarity to the people of the state in raising voice against killing people in fake encounters and demanding justice.

We also share the grief of the victims' families," Prakash Javedkar said.

The visiting team also assured the people of the state particularly the agitationists that the BJP will place the matter in the parliament and try to deliver justice in the case.

They also encouraged the womenfolk taking part in the agitations demanding resignation of the Chief Minister, O Ibobi and giving befitting punishment to the police officer who had given false report on the July 23 fake encounter to the Chief Minister, and the police commandos involved in the killings.

The BJP team told the womenfolk that they could pull down the CM.

The team also demanded Chief Minister to clarify the statement he had given on the floor of the state Assembly with regard to the firing incident of July 23 without forensic analysts' report that the young pregnant housewife and the youth were killed in firing by a militant in a bid to escape from the police commandos.

The five member BJP Parliamentary team visited the house of the deceased Th Rabina at Lamshang in Imphal west district.

They also met the family of Late Sanjit and the agitating womenfolk there.

The team later visited Irom Sharmila who has been on fast for the last nine years demanding repeal of AFSPA this afternoon at JN Hospital where she has been administering forced nasal feeding.

During the meeting the delegation assured Sharmila that they will press the Prime Minister and the President of the country with regard to the repeal of the Act at the earliest by tabling a detail report of atrocities meted out by the security forces in the state.

Film maker Joshi Joseph and professor Nandita Benerjee who also met with Sharmila handed over a letter written by noted writer Maha Sweta to her.

In the meeting with Sharmila, spokesperson Prakash said, in the trouble torn Manipur, police are acting as gangs and extorting money.

They caused terror to the people and killed people without trial.

Police who are mean for protection of civilians engaging in such activities is an unfortunate thing.

Imposition of the curfew to put the people agitation is not a right step of the government.

Curfew cannot solve the problem.

He also informed that the delegation will call on with the Governor of the state with regard to prevailing situation in the state and after arriving at New Delhi, they will meet with the President, Prime Minister and home minister and press them to repeal the AFSPA.

They will also insist them to intervene into the prevailing chaotic situation in the state.

The team also met with former MLA of the state Assembly L Sharat who is the father of another victim of fake encounter around two month back.

His son Satish, mention may be made here was killed by a combined force of Assam Rifles and police commandos in fake encounter after picked up from the way along with his friend who was release later.

The five member BJP Parliamentary team comprises apart from its spokesperson Prakash Jabetkar, national vice president Bijoy Chatturbedi, BJP Assam state president, Rehman Dekkar, national executive member, Rajen Gohain and BJP north east in charge, Chandrasekhar Rao.