Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 27 2009:
The by-election to the Yaiskul Assembly constitution would be an acid test to prove whether the Ibobi-led SPF Government is still popular or not, said former Union Minister Th Chaoba.
Chaoba was speaking by the sideline of a protest demonstration against the July 23 Khwairamband killings at Kwakta Santhong Bazar today.
The protest demonstration was staged under the aegis of the MPP Moirang Kendra Committee.
Th Chaoba who is also advisor of MPP, said that the Yaiskul by-election would prove whether or not people support the ongoing movement for resignation of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on moral ground.
Result of the by-election would be an indicator whether the Ibobi-led Government still carries the people' mandate or not, Chaoba said.
Observing that the Yaiskul Assembly constituency is one area where educated people and bureaucrats are concentrated, the MPP advisor confided that the impacts of the ongoing people's movement would be certainly reflected in the by-election.
Since Manipur gained statehood, eight Chief Ministers have ruled the state.
Though the problem of insurgency was there during the time of preceding Chief Ministers too, Chief Minister O Ibobi has earned the distinction of killing the maximum number of people during his tenure, Chaoba observed.
If the people are determined to save the lives of innocent people and safeguard Manipur, the only option available is toppling Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, he asserted.
MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that the protest demonstration was staged with the demands for investigation into the Khwairamband killings by the CBI, punishment of the commandos involved in the twin killings and resignation of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on moral ground.
As the Chief Minister has refused to step down, people, particularly women need to intensify the movement, he asserted.
"Should the people put a stop to the killing spree targeting male population and should Manipur be saved, O Ibobi must be pulled down from his seat", Dr Luwang said.