Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 24:
Intensifying the demand for the total repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State ahead of the scheduled visit of the Review Committee on December 27, activists of the Apunba Lup torched the effigies of the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Review panel, Justice (Retd) BP Jeevan Reddy at Tera bazar and Kongba bazar today.
The Apunba Lup has already called a 13 hour general strike on December 27.Other than the Chairman, the five member Review Committee consists of SB Nakade, PP Shrivastav, Lt Gen (Retd) VR Raghavan and journalist Sanjoy Hazarika.
Even as the eifigies were being consigned to the flames, the protestors raised slogans condemning the setting up of the Review Committee instead of repealing the Act.
Meanwhile the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has strongly condemned the statement of Home Minister Shivraj Patil in the Rajya Sabha, wherein he stated that he received mixed reactions to the demands for the revocation of the AFSPA.
The Home Minister in his speech at the Upper House had stated that there were some people who wanted the Act to go while some supported the continued imposition of the said Act.
Reacting to this the Apunba Lup, said that the statement of the Home Minister was nothing but a white lie and added that the stand of the people against the Act cannot be misled.
It is common knowledge that only the security force and the agents of Indian Govt support this Act, said the statement.
The stand of the people that the Act should be repealed still stands and there is no question of anyone stepping down from this point, added the statement Going on the offensive against the Home Minister, the Apunba Lup said that Shivraj Patil has till date not been able to tackle any situation satisfactorily and derided his calibre as a Union Home Minister.
Giving more support to the call of the Apunba Lup, the Chanura Marup, Heigrujam Mamang Leikai today said that all should boycott the Review Committee.
All clubs should support the boycott.