Imphal, September 10: Irked with lack of seriousness on the part of Manipuri people in pursuing a cause till its desirable end, Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup has emphasized on putting a curb on entertainment programmes and celebration of festival in the State till the demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers is achieved.

In a statement, Lup secretary Ng Kunjarani Devi decried the attitude of the people in not being able to pursue a cause till its logical conclusion, and cited the instance of June 18 Uprising in which the same agitating youngsters who have pledged to sacrifice their lives for the sake of territorial integrity soon forget all about the agitation and drown themselves in the festivities of Durga pujah and numerous other programmes.

It is because of this very nature of the Manipuri people, that the State Government and Centre do not take the angry voice of the people lightly, thinking that it would fizz out in due course of time, Kunjarani remarked.

Fearing that the present ongoing agitation for complete withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur might face the same fate, as has been witnessed during the Janamastami celebration few days back, the Lup secretary drew the attention of the Apunba Lup which is spearheading the agitation to ponder over the matter serious for taking up necessary steps.

The fact that 11 womenfolk sacrificed their modesty and protested in front of the Assam Rifles battalion at Kangla, Pebam Chittaranjan and Konjengbam Memita have made supreme sacrifices and thousands of protestors have suffered casualties in police action should not be forgotten, Lup secretary said, and asked what harm would it cause if the people of the State forgo entertainment and festivities for one year for the sake of safeguarding the democratic rights.

Forum objects: Manipur Intellectual Forum has strongly objected to the move for reviewing the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 and asserted that reviewing is not what the people of Manipur are demanding with revocation of the draconian Act.

The atrocities being suffered by the people would continue even if the Act is reviewed and its provision amended; forum spokesperson Ch Goplamacha Singh said in a statement.

Accusing Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil of handling the Manipur issue inaptly, the Forum has also demanded resignation of the Minister.

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