CPI takes complaint to CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2013: CPI Manipur State Council today lodged a complaint with Chief Minister O Ibobi against excesses committed by police upon its members during a protest demonstration at Imphal.

Talking to media persons at Irabot Bhavan here today, CPI State Council secretary Dr M Nara condemned in the strongest term the act of baton charging and firing tear gas shells upon CPI workers who were demanding certain points in a democratic manner.

Even at New Delhi, when the Parliament session was going on, different political parties and pressure groups staged protest demonstrations.

Police either tried to mollify or drive the protesters away in a polite manner.

But the conduct of State police was too much, asserted Dr Nara while also decrying the act of imposing restrictions under Section 144 of CRPF across Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

Such disposition of the State is a direct threat to the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

He went on to question, "The Government may erect some barricades around the State Assembly complex but what is the harm in allowing aggrieved parties to lodge protest like in Jantar Mantar and Ram Lila ground in New Delhi?" .

The party's struggle committee chairman Ningthoujam Mangi conveyed that apart from lodging a complaint, the party reiterated their demands to the Chief Minister during a meeting yesterday.

Some of the demands put across by CPI Manipur State Council included saving Sharmila's life by repealing AFSPA, implementation of Inner Line Permit System, putting an effective check on drug smuggling, deployment of highway protection force along National Highways, putting an end to all initiatives aimed at privatization of health and power sectors and initiation of political dialogue with insurgent groups.

Raising the same demands, CPI workers and supporters took out a rally at Imphal on June 20 but they were blocked and driven back by police causing injuries to one of the protesters.

In protest against the police action, CPI called a state-wide general strike on the next day.

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