Rally, sit-ins flay arrest of VVs, bomb threat, killings, house arrest
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 15 2024:
Lamphel Sanakeithel Nupi Kan glup, Lamphel PWD Quarter Meira Paibi and Lamphel Khunou Meira Paibi carried out a torch rally in Lamphel area on Sunday evening, demanding the unconditional release of arrested village volunteers.
The rally began from Lamphel Sanakeithel and moved along RIMS-Uripok Canteen Road before marching towards the BT flyover, where they were intercepted by a large number of Manipur police personnel at Uripok Sobon Thingel area.
In Thoubal district, the JAC formed in in connection with the Salungpham killing blocked the NH-102 in protest.
Reacting to gunning down of a PREPAK cadre and arrest of six village volunteers by Thoubal district police commandos on Saturday, the JAC members and locals laid siege on the NH-102 in Thoubal-Yairipok Lamkhai area on Sunday.
A large number of meira paibis, under the aegis of the JAC, gathered at Thoubal Melaground Yairipok Lamkhai and enforced blockade of the NH-102 stretch from 12 noon till 5 pm.
In addition, a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister through the Thoubal DC, demanding unconditional release of the six village volunteers, dismissal of service of the police commandos involved in the killing of the volunteer, and launch of intense agitation if the authorities do not honour the JAC's demands.
Later in the evening, the meira paibi protesters marched towards the Thoubal SP's office chanting slogans and staging protest outside the office.
The SP met with the meira paibi leaders and assured them that a departmental inquiry would be launched into the killing of the individual.
The SP also stated that appropriate action would be initiated against the police commandos if they were found guilty.
Furthermore, the six arrested individuals would be released by Monday, assured the officer, following which the protesters dispersed.
Meanwhile, the six arrested individuals were produced before the Duty Magistrate of Thoubal Court by the IO, SDPO Yairipok Gaurav Dogra, and remanded to police custody till December 24 .
Thounaojam Apunba Meira Paibi also organised a torch rally on Sunday evening along the Kakching-Sugnu road in Thounaojam area under Kakching district.
In another development, meira paibi activists staged protest at Waithou against the house arrest of Imagi Meira convener Thokchom Sujata by Delhi Police while she was visiting Delhi to participate in 85th Nupi Lal Day observance at Jantar Mantar organised by Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee.
During the protest, the agitators congregated at Waithou stretch of NH 102 and chanted slogans such as 'We oppose detention of Ima Sujata by Delhi Police', 'We condemn Government of India's attempt to obliterate Meetei community', and 'Release Ima Sujata immediately'.
Meanwhile, Village Development Committee VDC, Kanto Sabal, Leimakhong road has condemned the unreasonable house arrest of 'Ima' Th Sujata and her two companions by Delhi Police.
In a release, the Committee appealed to the central government and Delhi Police to release them unconditionally.
In Kakching district, Keirak Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, and Keirak United Development Association (KUDA) jointly organised a sit-in protest at Keirak Yawabung Keithel Shang on Sunday condemning the killing of two non-local labourers by unidentified gunmen in Keirak area on Saturday around 5.15 pm.
Protestors condemned killing of civilians, and criminal activities in residential areas.
They also demanded clarification by all concerned on the killing of the two.
Mention may be made that two migrant workers from Bihar were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants on Saturday evening near the Panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road when the victims along with a few others were moving by their bicycles.
Police are yet to confirm who attacked the migrant workers.
The victims have been identified as Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17) from Rajwahi village in Yadavpur police station area under Bihar's Gopalganj district.
They were engaged in some construction work and stayed in a rented accommodation in Kakching.
The security forces have launched a search operation to nab the assailants' .
Another sit-in protests was staged to condemn the bomb threat at the residence of secretary of Kakwa Pat Multipurpose Cooperate Society Limited, by members bf Society at the gate of Kakwa Lairembi Sanglen on Sunday.
During the sit-in, the protestors held placards with the slogans, "We condemn the bomb threat at the residence of Society secretary RK Ranjan", "Society is not a place for making demands", "Don't make any demands", "Society is for labourers and workers", and "Demands will lead to bankruptcy of Society" .