Imphal, August 06: Expressing solidarity to the ongoing public movement for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and punishment of 17 Assam Rifles personnel involved in the killing of Thangjam Manorama, schools and college students staged protest demonstration at different parts of the State today.

Led by their principal, staff and students of Kamakhya Pemtom College, Hiyangthang to stage a sit-in-protest against acts of injustice, torture, atrocities, violence and crime against innocent men, women and children in Manipur.

The protestors strongly denounced the excesses being committed by security personnel under the protective shield of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and demanded its repeal immediately.

They also observed two minute silence as mark of respect to the departed soul of Thangjam Manorama who was killed in the custody of 17 Assam Rifles after having picked up from her Bamon Kampu residence on the intervening nights of July 10 and 11.Around 300 students along with the teachers of Vocational Guide School, Moirang Hanuba, New Cachar Road today staged a sit-in-protest demonstration in front of the school from 10 am to 3 pm today.

The demonstrators held placards demanding lifting of black laws from Manipur as well as punishment of Manorama's killers.

They also burnt the effigy of Chief Minister of Ibobi Singh at the occasion.

Young students of Assemblies of God School, New Checkon also staged a similar demonstration in front of the school today in condemnation of brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama and Saichang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai by security personnel.

The school authority also appealed to the Government for removing AFSPA from Manipur and Assam Rifles from Kangla.

Staff and students of St Anthony's High School, Chingmeirong also staged sit-in-protest against custodial death of Thangjam Manorama in the vicinity of the school today and raised their voice for lifting AFSPA and punishment of guilty AR personnel involved in the brutal killing.

Similar demonstrations were also held by students of Nongchup Imphal Junior High School, Wahengbam Leikai Government High School, Ng Mani College, Leimapokpam Girls' High School as well as along the road side at Mantripukhri and Porompat today.

Joining the ongoing movement, women meira paibis of Ishok, Ishok Tera-pokpi Kabui Khul.

Turenhanbi and Mutum Yangbi jointly organized sit-in-protest demonstration at Ishok Bazar from 7 am to 5 pm.

Around 500 of them took part in the demonstration.

Jamiat Ulama-I, Manipur; Apunba Manipur Lou-U Sing-U Lup (All Manipur Agricultural Society), Yaikhul, etc have also strongly condemned killing of Th Manorama and demanded lifting of AFSPA from Manipur immediately.

Meanwhile, National Congress Party, Manipur Pradesh has asked Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to come out with a definite decision on lifting of the Act before stipulated deadline of August 15 so that peace and harmony could be restored.

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