Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16:
Responding to the call of the 32 organizations spearheading the mass movement for complete revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur, thousands of people yesterday came out in the streets defying restriction imposed under 144 Cr PC to form human chains in different parts of the State.
Many protestors were also injured when police resorted to firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the protestors.
At Nambol, thousands of people formed a human chain from 11 am to 4 pm yesterday.
The protestors also strongly condemned the excesses of police action that led to the death of a woman, K Memita who succumbed to her injuries on August 13.Nambol Area Joint Action Committee which organized the human chain agitation in the area also strongly condemned the State security forces for their excesses on the protestors and also prayed to God for giving peace to the departed soul.
Around one thousand people from different parts of Yairipok also formed a human chain along Ngariyan Road braving the sun and rain yesterday from 10 am to 4 pm.
They also shouted slogans denouncing the excesses of the security personnel and demanding complete withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the whole of Manipur.
Residents of Sekmaijin, Hiyanglam, Terapishak, Keirak, Lamjao, Tejpur, Laimanai, Langmeidong, Thounaojam, Yangdong, Elangkhangpokpi, Thongjao and Waikhong also came out in large number to form human chains along the State Highways yesterday from 1 pm to 4.30 pm.
Kha Kangleipak Kanba Meira Paibi Lup, Chairel Mangjil also organized a human chain in the area at around 3 pm and later the protestors took out a mass rally.
Committee on the Democratic People's Movement for Removal of Black Laws from Manipur, Wangoo also mobilized the people for a human chain demonstration in the area yesterday and the protestors later took out a torch rally at night.
Meira Paibis Welfare Assn Kangleipak yesterday mobilized the people living along both sides of Maklang Road and formed a 2 km long human chain from 3 pm to 5 pm and shout slogans demanding complete revocation of AFSPA from Manipur.
At Langdum Lamkhai along Imphal-Yairipok Road, hundreds of local meira paibis stood on their side of the road to form a human chain and staged dharna from 10 am to 5 pm.
The women agitationists later took out a torch rally at night.
North East Imphal People's Committee, Lamlai had also organized a human chain agitation extending from Chinga Tejpur to Yaingangpokpi along Imphal-Ukhrul Road yesterday.
Similar human chain protests were also demonstrated Mantripukhri, Koirengei, Salam, Kiyam, Luker, Haorang Keiren, Tharoijam and Khumbong yesterday.