Unconditional release demanded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2024:
Demanding unconditional release of six persons arrested by police following the Salungpham firing incident on December 14 and penalisation of police commandos involved in killing Laishram Prem, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) staged a sit in protest at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai today.
Protesters held placards that read "We condemn the Salungpham incident", "We condemn the killing of a village volunteer", "Release the village volunteers", "Penalise the commandos involved in killing a village volunteer", 'Don't show bravado only on Meeteis and take action against Kuki narco terrorists" and "Withdraw AFSPA immediately" among during the protest.
Speaking to the media on the sideline of the protest demonstration, Joychandra Konthoujam, assistant coordinator of COCOMI, said that it is the village volunteers who have been protecting the Meetei people from the onslaught of Kuki narco-terrorists who want to break the State apart.
Saying that many youths voluntarily came out to stand against Kuki narco terrorists as both the Centre and the State forces failed to protect the lives and properties of the people, he said that COCOMI condemns the crackdown on village volunteers and blood brothers by security personnel amid the pursuit of Separate Administration by Kuki narco terrorists and their associates.
The security personnel, be it Central or State forces, didn't do anything when armed Kukis attacked the Meetei civilians on the ground that they didn't get the order to act, Joychandra claimed.
Police commandos involved in killing Laishram Prem at Salungpham must be terminated from service apart from releasing those six persons who were arrested on that day, he demanded.
COCOMI will launch an intense agitation if the demands are not entertained, Joychandra said.
He, meanwhile, said that the Central Government reimposing AFSPA under the jurisdiction of six police stations was unacceptable and as such the same must be withdrawn immediately.
Many people have been killed in fake encounters under the shadow of the draconian law, Joychandra claimed.
Saying that unity among the fellow Manipuris is needed to safeguard Manipur and the legacy passed down by the ancestors, he added that a collective effort is needed to identify and defeat the force which is inimical to the interest of Manipur.
He also asked the elected representatives to understand the sentiments of the people and act accordingly.
Also urging the Government of India to stop its proxy war which aims to create division among the people, Joychandra maintained that Manipur is an Indian State and breaking Manipur would facilitate disintegration of the country.
Accusing the Government of India of turning a blind eye to the unrest in Manipur, he urged the Central leadership to stop treating Manipur like a non Indian State.
Similar protest demonstration was also held at Sekmai under the supervision of COCOMI .