Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18, 2009:
Re-inforcing the mass movement being undertaken in pursuit of the demand for resignation of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, termination and punishment of the DGP and the guilty commandos, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has called a State-wide general strike with effect from midnight today till 6 pm of September 21. In a statement, the Apunba Lup reiterated its call to all, young and old alike, to carry on the movement until the people's demands are met.
Alleging that Okram Ibobi is an incompetent Chief Minister who dares to challenge the collective voice of the people, the Apunba Lup asserted that it has no other option but to pull down Ibobi from his seat.
In addition to Ibobi, DGP Y Joykumar is the second person who have been misusing the security forces according to their whims, it alleged.
Asserting that the comments of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Governor were against the wishes and aspirations of the people of Manipur, the Apunba Lup accused the Prime Minister of attempting to present Manipur and Assam in the wrong light.
Development and progress, as witnessed in different countries, were brought about through people's movements and sacrifices, the Apunba Lup asserted while maintaining that no people ever suffered any losses because of mass movements.
Rather, mass movements infuse courage in the people, heightened the sense of sacrifice and removed all misunderstandings, ultimately leading them to victory at the end, it said.
Chief Minister O Ibobi has been treating the people of Manipur as slaves and they are being killed as and when he wishes, it alleged.
On the other hand, American President Abraham Lincoln lost his life for his efforts to abolish slavery.
Condemning strongly the detention of its leaders under NSA and the alleged threats of police commandos to their families and relatives on the false charge having links with UG groups, the Apunba Lup decried the raid conducted at AMUCO office on the pretext of arranging a meeting with members of the banned PLA and arrest of eight executives of the AMUCO, COHR and AMESCO.
It was absurd attempt of Chief Minister O Ibobi to present the social workers of AMUCO, COHR, AMESCO, CLK and UPF to present in the wrong light, it alleged.