Student activists charge political parties of inaction on Richard Loitam's case
Picket offices of political parties
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 19 2012: At least 17 student activists including the KSA president Pradip and AMSU president Suresh were arrested by police today when a group of students attempted to picket the office of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to protest alleged Government's laid back attitude in solving Richard Loitam and Laaba's 'murder' cases.

Earlier, the office of BJP located at Keishampat was picketted by the students after vacating the staff at around 1.20pm.Besides, they also tore down banners and put the office forcibly under lock and key.

The agitating students then proceeded towards the Congress Bhawan at BT Road where they faced resistance from police personnel.

Peeved with the police violence against them, the student activists aggressively relocated the barricades which were on the road and put it at the entrance of the MPCC office gate causing momentary traffic block.

Later, the students went to the MPP office at around 2pm and instantaneously locked the main gate.

Student activists enforcing closure of political parties' offices

A team of City police station arrived immediately and attempted to get hold of some student activists.

In all 17 student activists, including the president of AMSU Suresh and KSA president Pradip, Jaginat of SWAK and Richard of SUK were arrested by the City police at BT Road, near Irabot Bhawan.

Addressing a press meet later, Secretary of DESAM, Thoithoi justified the action today while conveying deep regret over 'laid back' attitude of both Karnataka and Manipur Governments in solving the case of Richard and Laaba.

Giving justification over the act, Thoithoi said since Karnataka has a BJP Government justice would have been delivered immediately if the Manipur BJP unit takes the case as seriously as they had promised initially.

He also lambasted the BJP for maintaining silence even after the pathological report furnished in regard to Richard's death was totally false.

Further, he said the both the Centre and Manipur are ruled by the Congress, the absolute decision and justice rest with them.

Hence if the party had any will to solve the case, justice would have been delivered now while also criticising the silence of the State Government in cases pertaining to rape, molestation, and several crimes against the NE denizens in mainland cities and metros.

Coming down on the regional party, MPP, Thoithoi alleged the party of making false promises of security and development in their election manifestos.

Accepting that the CPI has taken some substantial action, he derogated the silence and delay that is following Dr Nara's visit to Bangalore.

Claiming that the agitation was a democratic one having been planned to just lock the Political Parties' offices in protest of the authorities indifference attitude towards solving Richard and Laba murder case, Thoithoi warned of launching intense agitation if the arrested students are not bailed out today itself.

He also strongly demanded that appropriate punishment be delivered to those police personnel dressed in civil who incited the scuffle in front of the MPCC office while also urging the people to refrain from entering the party's office till justice is met for Richard and Laba.

Further, demanding the handing over the case to CBI, the student leader cautioned that a new level of agitation would come up.