Imphal, December 23 2008: Despite the repealed of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, AFSPA in the seven segments of Imphal Municipality area, the percentage of dead in the hands of military forces is rising with at least 3-4 persons being killed everyday in the AFSPA repealed segments, stated Irengbam Arun, editor of the Ireibak, an Imphal-based Manipuri newspaper.

Addressing the agitators, Sharmila Kanba Lup, on the 14th day of their relay hunger strike in support of Sharmila the editor stated that as per reports or heard, most of those killed as suspects were arrested from their houses or local areas, taken to a 'killing field' and then killed.

In this regard, Irengbam Arun suggested the need for a 24x7 control room in every locality to keep an eye on the arrests and even opined that this control rooms could help in the investigations of the arrests and the murders.

Regarding the attacks by the various militant outfits of the state on the residence of the civilians, the editor of the Ireibak also suggested the need to bring an understanding if there was any misunderstanding between the outfits and the people.

He also called upon the people of the state to give up the habit of being silent when someone was killed stating that the habit of being silent in times of such situation makes it appear that as if killing order had been given by the government whenever someone was arrested.

President of the United Committee, Manipur (UCM), K.Langamba while calling upon the people of the state to be prepared and protest to save Sharmila and repeal AFSPA from the whole of Manipur, has reminded that too many innocent lives have been taken by the 'black law'.

It is time to raise our hands against the AFSPA, Langamba declared.

Langamba also stated that when Mahatma Gandhi was on a hunger strike protest, the whole nation heard him and was called 'Father of the Nation'.

However, in the case of Irom Sharmila, she has been arrested by the state government on charges of suicide attempt and is being nose fed, asserted the president.

.KLeima, one of the relay hunger strikers affirmed that a third Nupee Lal (women's war) was very much possible if the current situation continues.

Stating that there was a need to bring about a change in the current situation, K.Leima suggested the need for women empowerment in the state assembly.

A mother knows more love than anyone else, asserted the lady.

Tuesday's relay hunger strike was joined by about 150 members from the Khurai area and Top Sagolsel Pukhri Nupi Lups.

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