Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 13:
Dubbing the preparations for the Konthoujam by election scheduled to be held on October 13 as a design to divert the people's attention and dilute the demand for the complete revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has today appealed to the people to dissociate themselves from the by election.
In a statement issued to the press today, the Lup urged all not to file their nomination papers or take part in the election process but to stand unitedly against the continued imposition of the AFSPA.
Going on the offensive against all the MLAs, Ministers and MPs, the statement said that they can no longer be regarded as the representatives of the people and justified it by stating that instead of listening to the genuine voice of the people, the State Government is acting only to please their Delhi bosses.
The political leaders have utterly failed to exercise the powers conferred by the federal system of the country, said the statement.
Today the people of Manipur have come out as one against the AFSPA and many have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the people while many more have suffered during the crackdowns launched by the security personnel.
At such a juncture talking about a by-election shows the utter disrespect that political leaders have for the welfare of the people, said the Lup and added that the proposed by-election is nothing but to add another member to the list of people who are hell bent on riding rough shod over the aspirations of the people.