Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22:
Reacting sharply against the crackdown launched on the agitators and booking them under the National Security Act by the State Government, the United Committee Manipur has today come out with a series of counter questions addressed to the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.
In a statement issued to the press today, UCM said that if the agitators are booked under the NSA for demanding the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the entire State, then the same should also apply to the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers for bowing to the demands of the people and lifting the Disturbed Area Act from the Imphal Municipal areas.
Elaborating further, the statement said that if the Govt deems it fit to book all the agitators under the NSA, then why is the same not applied to the MLAs and Ministers who had threatened to resign if the said Act is not lifted by August 15.UCM further asked the Chief Minister why MLAs I Hemochandra, L Ibomcha and Bihari should not be booked under the NSA for protesting at the gate of the Raj Bhawan for the removal of the AFSPA.
The UCM also reminded the Chief Minister of the dharnas staged by the MPCC (I), BJP, CPI, MPP, FPM, MNC, MSCP and other political parties demanding the revocation of the Act.
"Why aren't these political parties also booked under the NSA ?" it questioned.
UCM further said that Govt employees had taken a one day mass casual leave, MU staff including its VC had staged a dharna against the Act, doctors, and senior citizens had also staged a mass protest and sportspersons including National awardees had also taken out a protest rally.
Why isn't the same yard stick applied in these cases, UCM questioned.
The statement also mentioned the self immolation bid by five MAFYF activists, the four year old hunger strike launched by Sharmila, the death of S Memita in police action and the self immolation of Pebam Chittaranjan.
If the other agitators can be booked under the NSA, then the same should apply in these cases too, argued UCM.
Stating that there will be no let up in the demand for the complete revocation of the AFSPA from Manipur, UCM questioned how long the Chief Minister will continue to bluff the people and reminded that though an assurance was given that the Assam Rifles would co-operate with the Judicial Inquiry, till today, none of its personnel have appeared before the Commission.
Till today, the State Government is unable to assure that custodial deaths, rape and harassments will be stopped, said UCM.
In the light of such realities, the fight will go on unhindered, said UCM and appealed to all the continue with the struggle.