Tamil Sangam demands release of V Shekhar
Source: The Sangai Express
Moreh, July 21 2011:
In addition to the 48 hours bandh being enforced in the border town of Moreh since 6 am yesterday against the arrest of V Shekhar, a protest demonstration was staged today at Moreh Gurudwara under the aegis of Tamil Sangam and Border Trade and Chamber of Commerce for the same cause.
However, the protest demonstration wounded up at 1 pm after a meeting between representatives of Tamil Sangam, Border Trade and Chamber of Commerce, community leaders and women organisations and Chandel SP K Radhashyam.
Due to the ongoing 48 hours bandh, all shops in Moreh town remained closed for the second day though there is no report of any untoward incident.
The protesters put up placards which read as "V Shekhar is a national awardee", "Why target our president", "Stop making allegations against our president", "Police allegations are baseless", "Release our president V Shekhar" etc.
Around 1000 people including members of Meitei Council Moreh, All Community Development Organisation Moreh, Hill Tribal Council Moreh, Manipuri Muslim Council Moreh, Gorkha Samaj Samiti Moreh, Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup Moreh, Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup Moreh, Muslim Women Development Association, Minority Development Society Moreh and Kuki Women Union.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest demonstration, Border Trade and Chamber of Commerce secretary Surendar Patheja said that allegations levelled against their president V Shekhar by Chennai Police were all baseless.
After his arrest from Chennai airport by Chennai Police on July 14, V Shekhar was taken into the custody of Raipur Police.
Now V Shekhar is in the custody of Delhi Police, Surendar Patheja said.
Claiming that V Shekhar was a philanthropist who provided for education of poor children whose parents could not send them to schools, he said that V Shekhar, despite being a Tamil, was a very secular man who shared equal concern for all communities.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Sangam has conveyed its gratitude to all communities, civil societies, women organisations, transporters associations and the youth wing of Tamil Sangam for their cooperation and participation in the protest demonstration.