Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29:
In his final argument before Upendra Commission, Irom Lalitkumar who appeared on behalf of the UCM, today submitted that the June 18 incident could have been prevented if the State Government had taken up adequate security measures.
Pointing out that all the June 18 victims were either students or other qualified individuals, Lalitkumar said that the agitators were not criminals and their only demand was revocation of the cease fire extension to Manipur.
Lalitkumar further said that though the State Government was fully aware of the possible outcome it did not take enough precautionary measures.
He pointed out that a group of CRPF men led by an officer moved from its earlier place of deployment at Palace compound to the southern gate of Raj Bhawan without any prior permission to move.
Lalitkumar insisted that such a move was illegal.
The advocate blamed the Centre for extending the cease fire to Manipur without taking the consent of the people.
The Centre withdrew the cease fire extension after it realized its folly, the advocate further said.
Stating that protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur is bounden duty of every individual, the Lalitkumar said that the June 18 uprising showed the people's stand against any move to compromise with the territory of Manipur.