Source: Manipur Mail
Imphal, October 01:
The Coordinators of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup met the Governor Dr SS Sidhu today at 3 pm and discussed for about one hour the ongoing agitation and AFSPA at Raj Bhawan.
The WCAL today said talks with the Governor Dr SS Sidhu is the first step and the discussion will continue on October 6 at 3 pm.
The WCAL however did not reveal the details of the discussion.
It however said it will support the NESO strike to be called on October 5 to demand repeal of the AFSPA from the north east region.
The AFSPA is an act framed by the government to enable the army to torture, harass people in whatever they want the WCAL had stated.
The central government is solely responsible for the violations of human rights carried out under the AFSPA in the north eastern region and so talks are done with the centre's representative the Governor it had stated.
The North east students' Organization (NESO) demanding withdrawal of the armed forces special powers act from Manipur and other parts of the region had called the bandh.
The Khasi Students' Union decided to support the bandh as it would signify the union's strong protest against the proposed uranium mining at Domiasiat in the west Khasi hills.
The KSU has been for a long time protesting against, the proposed uranium mining at Domiasiat.
The North Eastern People's Federation (NEPF) had demanded termination and imprisonment of those involved in the killing of Manorama on July 11.The people have lost faith in the security forces due to random violation of human rights as demonstrated in Manipur, the federation observed in a press statement issued here.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has decided to support the 12-hour bandh call given by the apex students' body of the northeast region-North East Students' Organization (NESO) on October five.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the students' union held under the chairmanship of its president Byabang Taj according to AAPSU sources.
The meeting discussed NESO's nine-point charter of demand including the refugee issue in the Northeast, particularly Chakma and Hajong refugees in Arunachal.
All the central and state government establishments, educational institutions and business establishments will remain closed during the bandh, sources informed adding that the vehicular movement and medical services would be exempted from the purview of the Bandh.
Meanwhile, the students' body has appealed to the people to bear the inconvenience that might be caused to them following the bandh and to extend support to the proposed bandh call, which would signify the union's protest against the settlement of refugees in the state.
The Dimasa Students' Union (DSU) and other students organizations throughout the north east region have also extended their support to the 12 hour N C Hills bandh on October 5 called by the North East Students Organization (NESO).