Source: The Imphal Free Press
New Delhi, June 24:
The AMUCO, AMSU and the other voluntary organizations at the forefront of the movement against the extension of the India-NSCN(IM) ceasefire �without territorial limits� have made it clear that they are not open to discussion on anything other than withdrawal of ceasefire extension.
Representatives of the AMUCO, AMSU, AMKIL, IPSA and NIPCO agreed unanimously at a meeting today that the assurance of the Centre to review the issues arising out of the cease-fire agreement between the NSCN(IM) and the government of India was unacceptable as their is no guarantee that the territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected.
A statement released by the monitoring group, AMUCO, said the organizations have resolved to continue their agitation until the extension of the NSCN (IM) ceasefire to Manipur is withdrawn without any condition.
The meeting issued an appeal to the people of the state to remain united and take a firm stand for Manipur�s integrity.
The organizations also took the view that the cease fire extension to Manipur without the consent of the people of the state, the killing of 14 innocent people and the arrest of AMSU office bearers were part of a sinister game plan.
They demanded unconditional release of the arrested students.
Meanwhile, AMSU spokespersons, addressing media persons, today also expressed strong resentment at the arrest of their president, O Shyamchand and other leaders by the police on June 22 and demanded their immediate release.
Maintaining that their arrest was unjustified, the representatives said the AMSU did not incite the public agitation over the cease-fire issue.
The uprising occurred spontaneously because of public anxiety on the threat to threat to Manipur�s territorial integrity, they said.
The AMSU charged that in making the arrests, the Manipur police was trying to put on a brave face for the benefit of the Central government.
Reminding that the police were also Manipuris, the spokespersons said if such repressive actions continue, the police would be considered anti-people.
They also disclosed that following the incarceration of the AMSU functionaries, vice president Mangsatabam Imo, joint secretary Md Gaffer and assistant secretary Ng.
Nonika will take charge as temporary president, general secy.
and finance secy.