Many hold protest condemning Salungpham firing incident
demands immediate release of village volunteers
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur/Thoubal, December 18 2024: Meira Paibis and women vendors ofMoirang Keithel staged a sit-in protest today at Moirang Bazar against the gunning down of a village volunteer by security force and the arrest of six village volunteers.

The sit-in protest organised jointly by Moirang Kendra Apunba Lup (KEMKAL) Moirang, Apunba Nupi Lup (ANUL) Moirang Branch, COCOMI Moirang Branch and Moirang Apunba Meira Paibi Lup (MAMPIL) .

During the protest, M Thoibi, secretary of ANUL, Moirang branch, demanded the Government to immediately release the arrested six village volunteers without any conditions.

She also urged the Central Government to repeal the AFSPA with immediate effect and cautioned the Government to face the wrath of the people if it fails to meet their demands.

COCOMI Moirang branch chairman, K Nanda said that the sit-in protest was organised to condemn the gunning down of a teenager by security force at Salungpham in Thoubal and the arrest of six village volunteers.

Protesters held placards which read "Don't arrest village volunteers", "We condemn killing of village volunteers", "Let people live in peace" "Repeal AFSPA from Manipur", and similar slogans were also raised during the protest.

Meanwhile, Meira Paibis from across Thoubal held a sit-in protest at Thoubal Melaground Lamkhai against the gunning down of a teenager by security force at Salungpham in Thoubal and the arrest of six village volunteers.

The sit-in protest was jointly organised by Kakching Khunou, Thongam, Wangoi Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Leishangthem Meira Paibi, Wangbal Meira Paibi, Lamlong Apunba Mairi Paibi, Kiyam Lai Haraopham Meira Paibi, Malom Meira Paibi along with residents of Thoubal.

During the protest, Malem Thongam in her statement asserted that the recent killing and arrest of six village volunteers by security forces is a gift of AFSPA which has been recently imposed by the Central Government.

Even though it has been more than 5 days, the Government's silence on the incident is very unfortunate, she added.

She also added that, it is because of the village volunteers that we could travel and access freely in the valley.

Memtombi Leimapokpam, secretary of Thoubal Khunou Meira Paibi urged the Government to release the six village volunteers who were arrested by security personnel from Salungpham.

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