Imphal, October 01 2009: "The Union Home Ministry blatantly denied detention of any civil organization leader under National Security Act (NSA) and even demanded to know the names of such persons if any.

The Government of Manipur needs to clarify on this to the people of the state because we the people have the right to know".

This was asked on Thursday by secretary of All Manipur Tribal Women Union (AMTWU) KN Neiling in the wake of arrest and detention of Apunba Lup leaders who are spear-heading the ongoing mass movement in Manipur against the July 23 fake encounter.

The tribal women union demanded to know under what conditions social organisation leaders have been booked under NSA, or was the government trying to threaten and silence the voice of the public which amounts to violation of freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of India, questioned the union.

It further queried whether the government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh is abusing the political power entrusted in his hand by the people.

The AMTWU is constrained to issue a press release in connection with the ongoing movement of the people spearheaded by the Apunba Lup against the July 23 incident in Kwairamband bazaar, Imphal in which two people were killed and five injured, said the press release.

Many such fake encounters have occurred since the present SPF Government took over the rein of power in the state and most of these fake encounters have been buried and sealed in the absence of any hard evidence, said the union.

But thanks to the Tehelka exposure of the July 23 incident through photographs, the Government and the security forces can no longer hide their sinful and treacherous deeds as they are caught red-handed in this case, it stated.

It further stated that in the backdrop of the Tehelka exposure of the July 23 fake encounter, any type of inquiry is not necessary as the whole world is a witness to the whole encounter episode through the photographic hard evidences which is more than sufficient for the Government to act, asserted the union.

What is taking place today is a spontaneous response of the masses against 'state terrorism' and the act of suppression and oppression by the Government against the people will only earn the Government the wrath of the masses, the press release cautioned.

It stated that the general public of Manipur have been virtually reduced to the state of that of poultry birds which can be slaughtered any time at will.

When protestors and social workers who have been fighting for justice and protesting against fake encounters can be arrested, put behind bars and booked under NSA merely on suspicion, what about the MLAs and Ministers in whose official quarters a number of underground cadres have been caught with arms and ammunitions, it questioned.

"Are the MLAs and ministers above the law?", it further asked.

The press release informed that AMTWU had recently appraised the present situation of the state to the UPA Chairperson and the Union Home Ministry in which the Union Home Ministry denied detention of any civil organization leaders under NSA and even demanded to know the names of such persons, if any.

AMTWU also condemned the attack on the media by the people of certain localities in Thoubal district and added that it was extremely unfortunate that some people seem to think that the Chief Minister of Manipur is only for a certain area and not for the whole state.

On the issue of deployment of IRB and police commandos in the hill districts of the state, AMTWU stated that it will only create havoc and chaos in the peaceful hill areas of the state as it had in the valley, and added that it is therefore pertinent that the people of Manipur must unitedly oppose the cabinet decision to deploy IRB and police commandos in the hill districts in the best interest of the people and the whole state.

Saying that Manipur has seen enough bloodshed and misery in the valley which should not be expanded in the hill areas, the tribal women union stated that the Government should try to find solution to the already burning issues facing the people and the state instead of creating more problems.

It said that the challenging and callous attitude of the Government towards the movement of the people will only end up in disgrace for the Government and stated that it will be better for the Chief Minister to leave his chair gracefully and accept moral responsibility for all the ills facing the people.

AMTWU also reiterated that the arrested protestors be immediately released without conditions and condemned the arrest of the parents of some accused persons by the Government which is against the Constitution of the country.

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