Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 21 2009:
Sustaining the ongoing mass movement against the leadership of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has announced Meira Rally all over the State tomorrow night.
Till today, both Chief Minister O Ibobi and the Government of India have been sleeping over the people's demand for resignation of O Ibobi, punishment of criminal commandos as well as police officers who tried to shield those responsible carrying out the fake encounter and unconditional release of arrested Apunba Lup activists.
Rather, the state is taking recourse to brute force to suppress the mass movement by using tear gas shells, rubber bullets, mock bombs, batons and firearms, the Apunba Lup decried in a statement.
Though it is not something impossible for a Chief Minister to give up his/her post, Ibobi has been ignoring all the movements and public outcry against his Chief Ministership because he cannot give up his multi-crore business, it alleged.
People should not be made sacrificial lambs to further the enterprise of Ibobi, it asserted.
The only means for the people to save themselves from the killing spree and prevent Okram Ibobi from massing personal fortunes, is to pull him down.
The Apunba Lup also cautioned New Delhi that it would face only discredit and disgrace from international community if it continues to patronise Okram Ibobi.
For the harsh treatment of security forces against Meira Paibis who went to MLAs and Ministers asking to pull down Ibobi, the MLAs and Ministers supporting Ibobi should be held responsible, it said.
The Apunba Lup also condemned the alleged confiscation of mats, tarpaulins and other materials used by Meira Paibis in staging protest demonstrations by police commandos.
It alleged that the grenade explosion in front of Chamber Hospital this morning was a drama enacted at the behest of O Ibobi in order to divert public attention from the July 23 fake encounter which claimed two lives besides injuring five people.
The Apunba Lup also called upon the people to carry on with protest movements announced earlier such as wakat meephams, protest rallies, mass court arrest etc.
Against the Chief Ministership of O Ibobi and the Government of India's unwavering support to Ibobi, torch rallies will be taken out all over the state tomorrow night, it said.
Appealing to the people to burn effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi and his cohorts in the course of the rally, the Apunba Lup called upon the people to fight back security personnel in case they try to block or interrupt the rally.