Uripok locals protest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 02 2024: Locals of Uripok blocked half the road at Uripok Canteen Crossing today denouncing any NIA action against Arambai Tenggol and village volunteers.

The protesters and volunteers of Uripok Apunba Lup and Uripok Apunba Nupi Lup also raised slogans against reimposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in areas under six police stations in the valley.

Uripok Apunba Lup's publicity secretary, Chingthang N said no action shall be taken against Arambai Tenggol and village volunteers by the NIA or any other agencies.

People have the right to defend their villagers when attacked.

People must not be arrested and prosecuted for defending their own villages and families.

They should be given general amnesty, he said.

Normal people were forced to take up arms to protect their families, villages and communities.

They will return to normal their lives once the conflict is resolved.

The Government must take up steps that would end the crisis at the earliest, he said.

He further asserted that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is draconian and an Act that has failed its purpose in Manipur and North East.

The Act has only brought suffering to the people.

It must be immediately repealed from areas under the six police stations, he added.

Meanwhile, a relay hunger strike, being organised by the Uripok Apunba Lup and Uripok Apunba Nupi Lup demanding befitting action against Kuki militants for killing six women and children in Jiribam recently, has entered its 7th day today.

The protesters undergoing relay hunger strike reiterated their demand to the Government to crackdown on Kuki militants and hold those responsible for abducting and killing the women and children in Jiribam.

The six women and children including an 8-month-old toddler were abducted by Kuki militants from a relief camp inside the police station in Jiribam's Jakuradhor on November 11 .

Their bodies were found floating in the river days later.

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