Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 31:
While Meetei Eron Eyek Loinasilon Apunba Lup (Meelal) highlighted that the ongoing script agitation is not in any manner defiance of Government policy the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (Desam) charged State Government agencies of committing excesses against arrested Desam activists.
Emphasising that the ongoing agitation to demand implementation of Meetei Mayek script in schools through conversion of Bengali script text books into Meetei Mayek script, is not against the establishment but in support of the State Government policy to develop the script, MEELAL questioned the callous attitude of the O Ibobi Govt on the issue.
Reminding the State authorities of the recognition granted to the 26 letter Meetei Mayek script more than 25 years back inspite of which no positive measure had been pursued to expedite its implementation Meelal said the ongoing agitation is to awaken the Government in converting its assurances into action.
Stating that uncompromising stance of the Govt had compelled MEELAL to resort to burning of text books written in Bengali script that had culminated to the current agitation of imposing indefinite economic blockade and targeting Govt properties the agitation spearhead warned of undesired consequences if the matter is not addressed at the earliest.
Contending that the movements is in the general interest and sentiment of the Manipur public who aspires to see advancement of the script and has been receiving widespread support cutting across community barriers, MEELAL said suppressed angst of the people may burst in the form of targeting those straddled at the top echelon of the establishment.
Meanwhile, describing prolong custodial remand of arrested DESAM volunteers as undemocratic and highly condemnable the student body alleged of police excesses against the student activists lodged in police custody.
Elaborating on the allegations Desam highlighted that its activists arrested from Mapal Kangjeibung and from near the CM's residence were in connection with the mass court arrest stir and ridiculed the Govt framing charges of arson.
Outrightly rejecting the charges levelled against the arrested Desam activists of indulging in arson and clarifying that no one had instigated the protestors to resort to such disruptive acts, the student body clarified that agitation pursued by its activists are based on the principle of democratic form of movement.
Clarifying that none of the Desam activists were involved in the March 16 incident of burning Maruti Gypsy at Chingmeirong area it prevailed upon the law enforcing agencies to minutely peruse the matter before jumping into conclusion based on mere speculation and exercising unbridled power conferred to the police force.