Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 19:
Giving more bite to the agitation against the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup today announced that the blockade imposed on NH-39 and NH-53 has come into force from midnight today and will be in force till October 15.In a statement, the Lup appealed to the people to bear with the inconveniences for the time has come for all to either swim or sink together and added that if the agitation is called off prematurely then it would sound the death knell of the Manipuri people.
To make the blockade a success the Lup has appealed to all transporters, drivers and others to extend their co-operation.
The Lup has also asked all to dissociate themselves from the upcoming Konthoujam by election.
The Lup said that the by election is meaningless in the face of the immense excesses committed by the security personnel and added that it is far more desirable not to send any representative in a climate where there is no political determination.
Asking the people not be fooled by any false propaganda spread by any vested interest, the Lup said that the by election will not amount to anything except result in benefits of some pseudo representatives and their chamchas.
Reminding the people of the antecedents of Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, who was elected from Konthoujam, the Lup said that this very person had taken a pledge at Shahid Minar to fight for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
After getting elected on the embers of the June 18, 2001 uprising, Dr Meinya joined the ruling front and then joined the Congress for his own gains, charged the statement.
Going on the offensive against the MP, the statement said that Dr Meinya rushed back from Delhi when his outhouse was set on fire, but till today he has not uttered a single word after Pebam Chittaranjan committed self immolation.
It is highly shameful that while MPs of other States have acknowledged the sufferings and aspirations of the people, the MP from Manipur and the State Government are hell bent on snuffing out the voice of the people, said the Lup.