Imphal, July 16: As part of its series of agitations on the demand for the total revocation of the boundary extension of the NSCN (IM) ceasefire, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has decided to launch a mass civil disobedience movement from July 19 to 22 and a 24 hours State wide general strike from July 22 midnight.

The decision of the umbrella body of six organizations formed in the backdrop of the Centre�s decision to extend the truce area to Manipur was announced by the UCM functionaries during a press conference today.

UCM conveners Kh Ratan, Sapamcha Jadumani and Udoi Thongam appealed to the people to stage mass street protests against the NSCN (IM) ceasefire during the four days civil disobedience movement.

They also urged all the State government employees to take mass casual leave on the mentioned dates.

They, however, said that medical services, schools, colleges and the Manipur University will not fall under the purview of the civil disobedience movement.

The general strike from July 22 midnight till July 23 midnight is being planned as a follow-up action, the UCM conveners said and urged the people to carry on with the ongoing rallies and sit-in-protest against the truce.

They reiterated that the organization�s stand that it will hold talks with the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee only after the people of the State give their consent to the step and the Prime Minister sends an official invitation.

Even if the talks takes place, it will confined only in the areas of withdrawal of truce and amendment of Article 3 the Constitution, they said but ruled out any negotiation at the moment as they have not received any official invitation from the Prime Minister.

Stating that the UCM has asked the All Manipur Colleges Joint Action Committee to suspend the proposed Imphal-Mao peace rally on July 18, they appealed to the people not to take part in the rally.

Expressing regret that there has been complaints of making fixed monetary demands and use of private vehicles at will by certain organizations in the name of movement for State integrity, the UCM functionaries urged all groups to consult UCM regarding donation and use of private properties in connection with the movement.

They also requested the people to contribute donations to the AMUCO, AMSU, IPSA, UPF, AMKIL and NIPCO only.

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