Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22:
Reiterating its demand that all the 59 MLAs and three MPs should resign over their failure to fulfil the wishes and aspirations of the people, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has today once again reminded the representatives to put in their resignations within four days time or else face the wrath of the people.
In a statement issued to the press today, the Lup said that the indifference shown by the Centre to the self immolation of Pebam Chittaranjan is ample proof that to New Delhi, the lives of the Manipuri people are not as precious as the people's lives of mainland India.
The Lup also came out strongly against the DGP for stating that the people's movement for the revocation of the AFSPA is at the behest of the underground outfits and added that the gun and ammunition planted at MU is a sinister design of the authority to cast the present movement in the wrong light.
Asking the people to be wary of such tactics, the Lup cautioned all meira paibis offices, local clubs and voluntary organisations to be on their toes to neutralise any such designs hatched by the Government.
The Assam Rifles also came in for stinging criticisms for forcing the people of Kangpokpi and Keithelmanbi to stage rallies in support of the AFSPA.
This shows that the Assam Rifles will not hesitate to use force and threaten the people at gun point to pursue their agenda.
That the people flatly refused to abide by the order of the AR is ample testimony that the use of force and coercion will not work forever.
The people's movement ignited by the custodial killing of Th Manorama can never be quelled by use of force or military tactics, said the Lup and advised the State Government and the Centre to realise this point.
Instead of resorting to force, the State Government and the Indian Government should look for avenues to bring about a long lasting solution, said the statement.
Flaying the decision of the Government to suspend a Bill Clerk of the Electricity Department, W Romabati for taking part in the protest movement at Thoubal district, the Lup said it would have been much more better if the Govt had summoned enough guts to suspend all the Govt employees who took part in the agitation instead of victimising a single employee.