AMTU flays arrest of its president, Chandel protests
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 20 2021:
While denouncing the arrest and alleged false charges levelled against All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) president Romeo Bungdon, AMTU general secretary Chuimei Zimik said that Romeo is innocent and should be released without any further delay.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday, Chuimei informed that Romeo Bungdon is asocial worker and denounced his arrest by the police of being a cadre of NSCN-IM.
The NSCN-IM had on October 18 clarified that Romeo Bungdon was not related with them, he pointed out.
Drawing the attention of the government, Chuimei Zimik demanded immediate release of Romeo Bungdon.
Meanwhile, Anal Civil Society Organisations including Anal Naga Tangpi (ANTA), Anal Lenruwl Tangpi (ALT).
Anallon Chiefs' Association (ALCA), Anal Sinnu Ruwl (ASR) and Joint Action Committee for Early Release of Bungdon Romeo Anal organised a public rally in Chandel denouncing the arrest of Bungdon Romeo and demanding unconditional release at the earliest.
The rally began from Panchai village and concluded near SDO Chandel office.
Later, a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister through the Chandel DC.
Prior to the rally, a public meeting was convened at MACA hall, Panchai village.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines, ANTA president Phamhring Sengul informed that Romeo Bungdon of Thungcheng village but residing at Langol Game village was arrested on October 16 around 9am by a joint team of Lamphel police and Imphal West commando.
He was falsely accused as a special agent of NSCN-IM and is now in police custody, he said, while clarifying that Romeo is the president of AMTU and no connection whatsoever with the armed organisation.
Stating that Romeo is a paralysis and cardiac patient, after suffering a stroke in 2019, Phamhring asserted that levelling false charges after being arrested is against human rights.
He also urged the government to release Romeo without delay.
On the other hand, Thungcheng Youth Club, in a release, informed that Romeo was the president of the club from 1990 to 1991.Refuting the allegation that he was a cadre of NSCN-IM since 1987, the release urged the government to release him unconditionally.