Imphal, July 23: Taking serious note of the contradictory comments of the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Prakash Jaiswal on the issue of lifting Disturbed Area status, the United Committee Manipur has appealed to the people to continue the ongoing agitation till a definite and positive answer is achieved.

Flaying the Union Minister for first endorsing that Disturbed Area tag would be removed within a specified dateline as announced during his recent visit to Manipur and his recent remark at New Delhi that Armed Forces Special Powers Act would not be lifted from Manipur, UCM contended that the double standard of the Union Minister clearly reflects the Central Govt�s inconsiderate attitude towards the grievances faced by the people of Manipur.

Describing Jaiswal�s double speak as an attempt to divert the attention of the people through false assurances and delay justice, the body also severely criticized the Manipur Govt for blindly following the Central leaders instead of endorsing the genuine demands of the general masses.

Cautioning the people to be wary of the Central and State Government�s attempt to muffle the voice of the people, UCM called upon the organizations and individuals to take active part in agitations till justice prevails.

UCM also strongly condemned use of force to disperse the peacefully and democratically organized protests to denounce killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi and demand for lifting AFSPA.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Students� Union has described the contradictory comments of Prakash Jaiswal as clear indication of the Centre�s agenda to use of force to execute the people of Manipur under the guise of checking insurgency problems.

The visit of the Union Minister at Imphal and joint press conference with the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh where assurances were given to withdraw AFSPA could not be ruled out as an attempt to divert the ongoing agitation of the people of Manipur, AMSU charged.

The current outcry of the people should not be construed as agitation to protest the killing of Manorama but it is an outcome of intolerable atrocities committed by the security force personnel upon the State people under the immunity granted by AFSPA, the student body contended.

Asserting that people of Manipur could no longer tolerate excesses of the law enforcing agencies and callous attitude to genuine grievances of the people AMSU called upon all concern to give a fitting reply to the Centre.

Rather than soothe the hurt sentiments of the people who have had to bear the atrocities of the security forces, visit of Prakash jaiswal is akin to fuelling the tense situation and an invitation for more concerted agitation, AMSU observed.

Citing instances of forcible dispersion of peacefully assembled protesters the student body also appealed to the State forces to be wary of the Centre�s sinister plot to create divisions among the people and encourage killing between blood brothers.

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