Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24:
Leaders of All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) and Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) have today pledged to support the ongoing agitation of the 32 organisations by organising a students movement for the removal of AFSPA, punishment of Manorama's killers and removal of AR from Kangla.
Speaking at a press conference at AMSU HQs this evening, AMSU president L Joykumar said that the students agitation would begin from tomorrow.
He however refused to divulge details on the proposed agitation of the student community.
Asserting that Ministers who are supposed to act as guardians of the people have completely sidelined the masses and shying away from sensitive issues, Joykumar said that students will not spare such leaders but will teach them a fitting lesson.
He also stated that people's demand for removal of AFSPA from the State is justifiable and needs to be conceded at the earliest as the people have been suffering for too long under this draconian law and further urged the public as well as the State security personnel to support the de- mand for removal of AFSPA from the State.
MSF president Kh Gourachandra who also attended the press conference asserted that murder case similar to Manorama's would continue in the State until and unless Armed Forces Special Powers Act is completely lifted from the State and urged the people to unite and work together for the removal of AFSPA so that lives of the future generation could be more secure and peaceful.
He also questioned the logic behind the imposition of AFSPA in Manipur and other States ATSUM stated that in Mao gate area of Phikomei village exactly 130 families have been rendered homeless, similar fate for 22 families of Keithelmanbi, same number of families in Gopibung and 100 at Kang-pokpi�s Tulubari area along the IT road.
Forty houses have also been destroyed by landslide at Tulibari while 60 families had left their homesteads for safer areas as their houses were either got cracked or slanted due to landslide.
ATSUM statement further said that more houses are bound to crumble in a few days if the rains continue.
ATSUM said that it was not asking the Government to build costly houses for the victims but what the student body desires from the state government was to rehabilitate the homeless victims by providing atleast simple dwelling places for each of the affected families.
Paddy fields and other farms were also destroyed by natural calamities in the Mao and Keithelmanbi areas, according to the reports of the ATSUM.
It also appeals to the Govt departments like IFCD, PWD, Power, Agriculture and Medical to play important roles in addressing the plight of the landslide victims.
The student body stated that electric towers in the Mao and Tulibari areas would definitely fall and kill people as well as animals if proper measures are not taken by the Power department adding that the electric towers are on the verge of sliding down in the landslides hit areas.
ATSUM statement also expressed deep concern for the victims of rodent menace of Tamenglong district and appeals the State Government for more helps.