Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23:
Reacting strongly against the indifferent attitude of Cabinet Minister W Leima towards issues relating to Manorama's death, the thirty-two voluntary organizations spearheading the agitation against the killing of Manorama has resolved to socially boycott W Leima with immediate effect.
Talking to media-persons at an undisclosed location in Imphal West dist today, AK Janaki, a representative of the organization stated that the Govt will never be able to suppress the ongoing movement of the people as the anger of the people have crossed all limits.
Terming the silent posture taken by W Leima as very unfortunate for the public in general and women folk in particular, Janaki said that Leima should remember that she has been inducted in the new SPF Ministry through the women's quota and added that it is her duty to look after the welfare of the womenfolk of the State and not shy away from sensitive women issues.
L Memtombi, another member of the organization, who also interacted with the mediapersons said that they would never take back the body of Manorama until and unless Armed Forces Special Powers Act was removed from the State and added that the organizations as well as the people will not tolerate any attempt by the CM to divert the issue.
She also appealed to the Ministers and MLAs to come out and join the people's movement instead of shouting from their protected offices and bungalows.
Stating that the organizations will not accept any proposal from the Govt for holding talks until AFSPA was completely lifted, Leirikleima, another important member of the organizations, said that the Govt was making a grave mistake by trying to suppress the people's agitation by using its security forces.
K Taruni another member of the organizations also stated that SPF Govt should step down and let another party come to power if it cannot fulfill the wishes and demands of the people and added that the organizations will carry on the agitation until and unless the killers of Manoram are booked and Armed Forces Special Powers Act revoked from the State.
The organizations also strongly condemned the physical assault of a Sanaleibak reporter by State security personnel and high handedness of Delhi police personnel on MSAD volunteers while carrying out a protest rally at New Delhi yesterday.
Relay hunger strike launched all over: Even as all the six hunger strikers who were on fast unto death at Keibi Taretkhul parking since July 21 have been taken into custody by the police this afternoon as their condition deteriorated, six more persons have taken up the onus of carrying forward the agitation and started fasting from today.
Relay hunger strike have also been launched at different parts of the State from today pressing the demand for removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act and punishment of guilty AR personnel responsible for extra-judicial killing of Th Manorama.
The six hunger strikers who have been taken into custody by the police at around 12.30 pm are identified as Laishram Nirpen (24) and Waikhom Chingkhuba (20) both from Taretkhul, and Abung Thangjam (23), Thoudam Romi (20) and Longjam Bhogen (23) all from Keibi.
Another agitator identified as L Surjit of Keibi, whose condition is stated to serious is presently undergoing treatment at Sagolmang PHC.
Meanwhile, mass relay hunger strike agitation have been launched at different parts of the State from today.
At Wangoi Bazar, around 50 young girls participated in the agitation jointly organized by eight local meira Paibis� bodies.
The relay hunger strike would continue till July 27.Around 150 activists took part in the relay hunger strike held at Langmeidong bazar from 10 am to 4.30 pm today.
The agitation was organized by UCM Khalam Ching-Tam Unit in association with local Meira paibis.
At Wabagai Bazar, many people voluntarily took part in another relay hunger strike agitation jointly organized by UCM units of Lamkhai, Hiyanglam, Kangleichol, CARD, SEHDO and Itham Lup.
Eight representatives of MSF, AMSU and DESAM Thoubal Branch, who attempted to sit on a relay hunger strike from today in front of Thoubal DC Office, were, however, dispersed by police personnel later.