Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 19:
With the Govt still not showing any signs of budging an inch from its stand, despite continuous public protest for the last two months, sit in protests and dharnas continued unabated in different parts of the State demanding the immediate removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
At Sekmai Bazar, women folk of Awang Sekmai Kongjengleima area staged a sit in protest at Sekmai Bazar today from 10 am to 3 pm.
The sit in protest which was organized by Advance Women Society Awang Sekmai was attended by about two/three hundred meira paibis of Kongjengleima area and women vendors of Sekmai Bazar.
All shops and business establishments of Sekmai Bazar remained closed during the course of the sit in protest.
Protestors also put up placards and festoons demanding the immediate removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, punishment of the killers of Manorama and Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai, release of the arrested Apunba Lup leaders etc during the protest.
Effigies of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the Chief Minister were also burnt by the protestors at the end of the sit in protest as a mark of protest against the Central and State Govt's indifferent attitude towards the demand of the people.
Meanwhile, members of JN Hospital Road Apunba Lup staged a sit in protest in front of the third gate of JN Hospital today demanding the immediate removal of AFSPA from the State.
The protest which began from 10 am and ended at 3 pm was participated by about 200 womenfolk of the area.
At Wabagai, a large number of meira paibis numbering about 500 also carried out a sit in protest at Wabagai.
The protest was jointly organized by Awang Wabagai Meira paibi and Awang Wabagai Shining Club.
Meira paibis belonging to the Kongpal Nupi Samaj and Social Welfare Porompat also carried out a sit in protest at Porompat Amomthong today.
Members present at the meeting also resolved to support the ongoing stir of the Apunba Lup till the dreaded Act was completely revoked.
Meanwhile, volunteers of North East Imphal People Committee today organized a public meeting at Faknung Mayai Leikai Community Hall in discussed further course of actions to be taken up to intensify the ongoing stir.
The meeting strongly denounced the State Govt's apathy towards the demand of the people.
Denouncing the Central Govt as well as the State Govt for being indifferent to the sensitive issues of the State, members of Nongpok Sanjenbam meira paibi and Kambongput meira paibi began a three day sit in protest at Nongpok Sanjenbam today.