Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02:
Categorically stating that there will be no compromise on the demand raised for the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the entire State of Manipur, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has today called on the people to cease work and observe a general strike from 5 am till 5 pm of September 5, the date Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is scheduled to arrive here.
In a statement issued to the press late this evening today, the Lup asked the people not to be taken in by any promises but to instead stage torch rallies all over the place from 7 pm till 10 pm on September 5 and 6 and raise the slogans used earlier.
The Lup further said that the people of Manipur will never compromise on their demand for the total revocation of the AFSPA and added that promises like economic packages for the State will not cut any ice.
Going on the offensive against the State Govt, the statement said that the cold blooded killing of Jangkholen by police commandos in front of his own sister is the first gift of the partial revocation of the AFSPA from Manipur.
It does not matter whether the late man was a militant or not, said the Lup adding that any punishment should be awarded after due process of law.
Instead of sincerely trying to redress the grievances of the people, the Centre and the State Government have been trying to silence the voice of democratic protest through brute force, said the statement adding that even today numerous protestors have been booked under the NSA.
MAFYF's 12 hr NH-53 bandh: As part of the ongoing agitation to demand the complete revocation of AFSPA from the State, the Manipur Forward Youth Front, Tera branch, has imposed a 12 hour bandh on NH-53 from 6 am till 6 pm on September 4.Stating that 11 women of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba have been booked under NSA and the secretary of Imphal West of MAFYF tried to self immolate in front of the CM's gate, the body called upon all the local clubs and organizations to extend their co-operation.
In a statement MAFYF further said that it knows the antecedents of all those who have been trying to dilute the agitation and accused them of acting at the behest of the SPF Government.