JCILPS to intensify stir, 'curfew' on non-locals
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 08 2015 : Announcing its decision to intensify its stir following the death of a student protester, Sapam Robinhood today, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has decided to keep all non-Manipuris in house confinement for five days from tomorrow.

Speaking to media persons today at a place along the Airport Road, convener in-charge of JCILPS, Khomdram Ratan said inbound and outbound movements of non-Manipuris will be restricted during the five days.

He urged all concerned to take up any democratic agitation demanding the implementation of ILPS in the State.

Kh Ratan asserted that the pro-ILP movement spearheaded by the ILPS cannot be suppressed by resorting to firing of tear gas shells, smoke bombs and rubber bullets on protesters.

Strongly denouncing the killing of Robinhood and causing injuries to many others in police crackdown, Ratan said the day will remain a historic one in history.

To show respect to the sacrifice of Robinhood, the departed student is given the title, 'Yelhoumi Kanbagi Lamjing Meira' (torch bearer for the protection of indigenous people), Ratan said.

It is very unfortunate that the 57 MLAs have maintained their silence on the issue still.

And their indifferent attitude has prompted the JCILPS to line up the stir, he added.

Convenor of Students Wing, JCILPS, Moirangthem Angamba said the manner in which Robinhood was killed shows the lack of ethics among the police personnel.

Strongly condemning the killing, Angamba said the Students' Wing will take the matter seriously.

Meanwhile a number of organisations have come forward to condemn the killing of the student, Sapam Robinhood.

As news of the death of the student spread, a large number of people came out on the streets, after prohibition was announced and clashed with the police.

Confrontations between police and protestors along Dingku Road and Lairikyengbam Leikai, the place from where the late student hailed.

As announced yesterday, torch rallies were carried out at different places in the night.

Among other places, torch rallies were staged at Palace Gate and Wangkhei side in Imphal East district.

Speaking to newsmen at his residence today evening, MLA Shyamkumar said that the matter will be brought up for discussion on the floor of the Assembly tomorrow.

The MLA said that the action launched by the police against the students is an ample example of how ill prepared are the policemen in dealing with such a situation.

Such an action of the police can only be imagined in a lawless society, he said and demanded fitting action against police personnel involved in the death in the student.

Stating that the Government should roll back the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, Shyamkumar said that a motion will be moved to discuss the Bill anew on the floor of the Assembly tomorrow.

If no Bill is to be passed which is to the satisfaction of the people then he would stay away from the Assembly proceedings, declared the MLA.

Strongly condemning the excesses of the State police, the Joint Students' Co-ordination Committee (JSCC) of AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK and AIMS said that it has taken a serious note of the conduct of the police personnel.

In a statement the JSCC said that this was not the first time that students have been at the receiving end of the excesses of the police personnel and added that it will not be the last either.

Taking strong exception against the conduct of the police, JSCC said that it will now fully support all course of action taken up by the JCILPS.

The State unit of the BJP has also strongly condemned the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry to nail the guilty police personnel.

General secretary (administration) of the State unit of the party, Ashinikumar said that launching such a brutal crackdown on students who were democratically raising a demand is unacceptable.

Demanding that the guilty police personnel should be sacked, Ashinikumar said that this was not the first time that students had been targeted.

The BJP State unit also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

The All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers' Welfare Association has also strongly condemned the killing of the student.

In a statement, the teachers said that the killing is an example of the high handedness of the security personnel.

The teachers also condemned the excesses committed against the agitating students of TG Higher Secondary School and other students.

Strongly condemning the killing, the CPI (M), Manipur State Committee said that the incident is a clear reflection of the State police utterly failing to understand how to control an agitation.

The guilty police personnel should be fittingly penalised, said CPI (M) in a statement and advised the State Government to be ready for any untoward development.

Coming out strongly against the killing of the student, the All India Students' Federation, Manipur State Council (AISF-MSC) has pledged support to the ongoing pro-ILPS movement.

In a statement, the student's body said that death of an innocent student of Ananda Singh Higher Academy could have been averted had the voice of the people been heard by the State Government on time.

The National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) has also strongly condemned the killing of the student.

In a statement, NIPCO said that all the 57 MLAs owe an explanation to the people.

The All Manipur Muslim Organisations Co-ordinating Committee and Students' Welfare Committee, Thongju Pheijaleitong have also condemned the killing of the student.

Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) also strongly condemned police action wherein a student was dead.

In a statement, KSO said that police have no other option than firing tear gas shells, resorting to lathi charge and closing of schools to control an agitation.

Comment