CPI threatens stir, demands Sotinkumar's release
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 30 2019:
CPI Manipur State Council (CPI-MSC) has cautioned that it would launch intense agi-tation in a democratic manner, if the party secretary L Sotinkumar is not released unconditionally at the earliest.
CPI MSC State Secretariat Member RK Amusana made this statement during a sit- in-protest which was staged in front of Irawat Bhawan, today.
Speaking on the sideline of the protest, Amusana narrated that on December, 19, the Left Parties of the country called a Nationwide general strike condemning the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 .
The general strike was also endorsed in Manipur and as a result, L Sotinkumar was arrested by the State police.
Demanding the unconditional and immediate release of the arrested CPI Member, Amusana cautioned that the party has made necessary preparations to launch intense agitation in a democratic manner, if the authorities fail to heed to the demand.
Explaining that the general strike of December 19 was a very peaceful one, CPI MSC assistant secretary Khangjarakpam Surchand claimed that the Left Parties only exercised the rights guranteed by the Constitution.
Questioning the reason behind the arrest of Sotinkumar by the State Government for staging such a peaceful protest, he said that Sotinkumar was arrested even after he was given bail by a Court.
Numerous charges were levelled against him by police, including sedition charges, he narrated, lamenting that this particular antic of the Government is too much and totally uncalled for, apart from being anti-democracy.
He then alleged that ever since the new State Government came into power, people cannot even freely express their views or dissatisfaction against any of the Government's policy or plans etc on any platform, including social media, without risking imprisonment or arrest.
He then reminded that the same BJP-led coalition Government had detained a journalist, Kishorchandra Wangkhem under NSA for speaking against the BJP, even though he was given bail by a Court.
Surchand alleged that under Biren's Government there are no more democratic rights and the Constitution has been violated to the hilt.
Not even a single public or Govt property was harmed during the peaceful general strike called by the Left Parties, he added, once again demanding the immediate and unconditional release of L Sotinkumar.