Protest meet decry arrest of "innocent" persons
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, July 23 2023:
A protest meet was held this afternoon at Pechi community hall in Pechi Mayai Leikai under Yairipok Police Station.
The meet attended by thousands of people drawn from representatives of various women bodies in Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts denounced "random arrest" of residents of Pechi village in connection with the May 4 incident.
The protestors also demanded unconditional release of the "innocent" people within a week's time.
Later the meeting also adopted four resolutions.
The protestors also held placards reading "don't take efforts to save Manipur as revolt", "wake up N Biren", "Take actions against Kuki terrorists as well", "we condemn arrest of helpless people" etc.
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Many speakers strongly denounced the crackdown on people who are contributing to the State's cause and asked whether the administration sharing between Biren and Amit Shah has been put into effect.
Should the fate of the entire movement to safeguard State's integrity be decided by one viral video, the speakers asked.
"Everyone is ashamed and shocked by the incident but taking sides should be stopped as there is plenty of evidence of unspeakable crimes committed by the other community," the speakers continued.
The congregation then resolved to : 1.organise a massive peace rally in Thoubal in protest against the issues pertaining to Thoubal district; 2.stand against further random arrest in connection with the ongoing crisis; 3.condemn efforts to portray the movement in the wrong light and 4.seek for unconditional release of arrested innocent persons within 7 days.
In the meantime, the Justice Unity Peace and Security Organisation (JUPSO) Shikhong Bazar and Shikhong Bazar Meira Paibi today organised a sit-in protest against the police custody remand of one Arun Khundongbam from Sikhong Bazar in connection with the May 4 incident.
During the protest held at Shikhong Bazar, the protestors said Arun Khundongbam was "innocent" and had nothing to do with the May 4 incident which occurred at B Phainom village in Kangpokpi district.
The protestors said that residents of the locality stand for Arun who has been remanded into police custody till July 31.Arun never went to the incident spot that day, they said.
JUPSO secretary Oinam Pearson in a press statement said Arun never went to the incident spot and was never a part of the mob involved in the ugly incident occured on May 4 .
He was summoned by the police on July 20 to take a statement but sadly he has been sent to police custody remand till July 31, Pearson said while adding that the entire village is saddened by the news.
The village has enough evidence to prove his innocence, he added while appealing authorities concerned to release Arun at the earliest.