Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 19:
Showing no signs of retreating from the ongoing agitation to demand the complete withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from Manipur, the Apunba Lup today asserted that the symbolic last rites of Pebam Chitaranjan will be performed on August 21.Speaking to news-persons today evening, spokesperson of the Lup L Umak'anta said the State Government's forcible disposal and cremation of Chitaranjan's body is not acceptable to the general public and would be re-performed at 11 am at the deceased's birthplace at Takhellambam Leikai.
Until and unless the symbolic rites are performed, the current general strike will be in force, he asserted while appealing to the general public to bear the inconveniences faced by them due to the strike.
To honour the sacrifice and condole the death of Chitaranjan, Umakanta also appealed to the people to lit candles and make offerings.
Joining the address, another spokesperson of the Lup, Jagat Thoudam assuring that general strike supporters would not harass people coming to pay their respect to Chitaranjan on August 21, also stated that forced disposal of the body clearly illustrates the true intention of the Government to subdue the people's movement using police force.
Referring to non-cooperation of the 17 Assam Rifles witnesses accused for the custodial death of Thangjam Manorama Devi, Jagat strongly condemned double standard of Union Home Minister, Defence Minister and Eastern Command GOC who had assured that all guilty personnel would be tried and punish to provide justice to the people of Manipur.
Instead of trying to mollify the agitated people non commitment of the Central leaders on demand for withdrawal of AFSPA questionable, contended the spokesperson while charging that the Centre has been trying to divert the people's movement by linking it to threat to national security.
Are people of Manipur not under the ambit of national security, and on what basis has the people's demand for security of life constrained the Government to detain the agitators under NSA, he questioned and added that such action could not be interpreted more demeaning than colonial attitude.
No matter what repressive method the Government adopts to deny the people of its right to live as a free citizen, agitations would continue be it detention for years in jail, Jagat reiterated.
He also detailed that as part of the ongoing 'emancipation movement' rallies would be organized and slogan shouting would continue at various places in between 11 am to 2.30 pm during the agitation period.