Imphal, October 18: MPP president and former Minister O Joy today stated that the people's uprising of June 18 and July 20 that led to the loss of a number of lives and reduced to ashes the Assembly building, MLAs' quarters and other Government buildings reflected the mood of the people.

The uprising was also a Constitutional right of the people, averred Joy.

The uprising took place following the decision of the Centre to extend the NSCN (IM) cease fire coverage to Manipur which many perceived as threatening the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Deposing before the Upendra CommisMon at Kuki Inn, the MPP chief reminded that the State Cabinet had unanimously decided more than once to oppose the extension of the NSCN (IM) cease fire to Manipur and the decision of the Centre disregarded the stand taken by the peoples' representatives of the State.

Joy said he was at home when the people took to the streets on June 18.He categorically stated that the decision to extend the NSCN (IM) cease fire to all Naga inhabited areas was an incorrect decision.

Stating that the cease fire extension was unconstitutional, Joy said it amounted to insulting the sentiments and aspirations of the people.

Expressing his personal opinion 0 Joy said the cease fire extension meant allowing the NSCN (IM) to open designated camps all over the State.

Armed NSCN (IM) cadres would be allowed to move about freely and State security personnel would not be able to arrest them.

This would amount in contravening the arms act imposed in the State.

The spirit of federalism would also be defeated, said Joy.

Counsels for the UCM, police and Government cross examined O Joy.

Chief Security Officer of the Assembly Secretariat, G Premananda Sharma also deposed before the commission today.

He said there were 43 MR personnel on duty at the Assembly complex on the 18.However all the personnel were unarmed.

Sharma said the DGP was asked to deploy armed personnel at the Assembly complex in the morning of June 18.Former MLA Songchinkhup also deposed before the Commission today.

He said he was not at his official quarters on June 18 and A is informed that his quarters had been torched later.

Dr H Nabachandra of the Forensic Department of RIMS gave the post mortem report of five victims of the June 18 firing.

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