Hills rally against Cdo deployment, fake encounter at BT Road
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11 2009: Mass rallies were held today in all the five hill districts of Manipur demanding the withdrawal of the Cabinet decision to deploy police commandos and IRBs in the hill districts.

The rally was collectively organized by ATSUM, ANSAM, KSO-GHQ, CDSU, NSUC, TKS, SDSA and ZSUM.

Rallies staged against the decision of the State Govt to deploy police commandos and IRB in the hill districts as well as against the July 23 fake encounter

CHANDEL : A massive public rally was taken out at the district headquarters here today and a memorandum, addressed to the Union Home Minister calling for revocation of the State Cabinet decision, was also handed over to the Chandel Deputy Commissioner.

The representation opposed deployment of IRBs and Cdos in the hill districts on the ground that both the NSCN (IM) and Kuki armed groups have begun peace talks with both the Central and State Governments.

Further pointing out that presence of BSF, Assam Rifles and Manipur Rifles are more than adequate, the memorandum urged the Union Home Minister to review the State Cabinet decision.

The protest demonstration was jointly organised by the Chandel units of All Naga Students' Association Manipur and Kuki Students' Organisation under the aegis of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur.

Commencing from the Indoor stadium the rallyists marched upto the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

President of Naga peoples' Organisation, Chandel, ST Victor Nunghlung expressed that people of Chandel like other residents of the hill districts are not against IRB or commando personnel per se but added that they are against their deployment in the hill districts as these forces have for long been accused of looting, staging fake encounters and excesses.

Pointing to the BT Road firing of July 23 to vindicate his assertion, Victor said the people cannot expect anything positive from the police commandos.

Commenting on the issue, advisor of Kuki Women's Union for human Rights, Lalam Haokip also referred to the BT Road incident to explain opposition against the Cabinet decision to deploy IRBs and commandos.

Churachandpur : Tens of thousands of students as well as commoners, today stepped forward to protest against the Cabinet decision to deploy commandos and IRBs in the hill districts, reports our correspondent.

From the public ground, the rallyists marched more than 5 kms to submit a memorandum prepared by the Churachandpur District Students Union (cdsu) to the DC and addressed to the Prime Minister of India.

A three point demand placed by the rallyists to the Prime Minister, through the district administration was submitted by the student body.

Addressing the media after the rally, CDSU leaders demanded the State Govt to immediately withdraw its decision.

"Today's rally is only the first form of our democratic agitation.

If the Government still fails to endorse our demand we will be compelled to go for violent means of agitation," K Doukhum, President CDSU said.

SENAPATI : At Senapati district headquarters, around 5000 people took part in a similar rally today decrying the July 23 incident of Khwairamband Bazar and objecting to the proposal of deploying police commandos and IRB personnel at hill districts.

Organised jointly by ATSUM and Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), the protest rally began from Senapati ground and proceeded upto Forest Gate.

Representatives of ANSAM, NPMHR and SDSA also spoke at the occasion.

Afterward, the protestors jointly submitted a memorandum to the DC.

TAMENGLONG : The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) and the Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur (ZSUM) also staged a similar rally at Tamenglong district headquarters today, reports our correspondent.

The rally took off from Mini stadium at 11 am and congregated at the DC's office where a memorandum, addressed to the Union Home Minister, was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner.

The rallyists numbering about 5000 held placards denouncing the decision of the State Government and raised slogans such as, "We don't want Gun Culture" and "We want peace" during the rally.

All shops and commercial centres remained closed during the rally.

UKHRUL : A rally was also organised by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) at Ukhrul district headquarters today.

Speaking to media-persons on the sidelines of the rally, TKS president Wungnaoshang A Shimray said it is being taken out to exert pressure on the Government to revoke the Cabinet decision as there is apprehension of fake encounters in the hill districts as well, if the police commandos and the IRB personnel were deployed.

In fact the apprehension of the people has been reinforced after the July 23 fake encounter at Khwairamband Bazar, he said, adding that TKS supports the ongoing agitation being spearheaded by the Apunba Lup over the incident.

He asserted that there is already enough security forces in the hill districts and there is no need for deployment of police commandos and IRB personnel.

In case the Government fails to give a positive response to the demand of the hill people even after the protest rally, then all the like minded civil organisations would join hands and target the Government offices, the student leader warned.

Flagging off from two points namely Kharasom Junction and Tungrei Junction, the rally participated by thousands of people , including students of 37 private schools and 12 private Government schools and senior citizens, converged at Tangkhul Naga Long ground, near Wino Bazar of Ukhrul, where a public meeting was held.