Alert meetings, rallies continue...Disclose 'agreement' instead of verbal assurance, say many during protests
Source: The Sangai Express

Tbl/Bpr/Kakching, November 12 2019: Even though the leaders in the Centre are giving verbal assurance that the agreement reached between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) will not affect Manipur's integrity, people across the State are not yet satisfied.

Voicing collective stand against any attempt to distort Manipur's integrity, many organisations, Meira Paibis and locals, under COCOMI, staged alert meetings, sit-in protests and rallies at many places in districts across the State.

Many during the protests demanded the Government of India to disclose the agreement reached instead of giving verbal assurances.

Thoubal: Joint Committee on People's Welfare Yairipok, an apex body of 16 clubs organised an alert meeting (cheksin meefam) at Yairipok Bazar with Wangkhem AC MLA K Meghachandra raising people's demands on the Naga issue.

Alert meetings, rallies continue...Disclose 'agreement' instead of verbal assurance, say many during protests

Speaking at the meeting, MLA K Meghachandra said that the Central and State Governments should understand and act accordingly to fulfil the aspiration of the people of Manipur.

Meghachandra advised that the State Government should make its stand clear to dispel the apprehension people have on their minds.

As the agreement reached is being kept secret, people could not trust Government of India Interlocutor RN Ravi's and other BJP leaders' assurances that the State's integrity will remain intact, he said.

"If State's interest and integrity are compromised, we are ready to sacrifice lives," he said expressing that all, irrespective of their political party and community, should raise their voices for saving State's integrity, peace and stability.

Congress party is with the people of the State and has been pressuring the Prime Minister and Home Minister on the issue, he added.

Joint Committee on People's Welfare Yairipok vice-president Khomdram Prafullo also raised apprehension over the agreement reached between the Centre and NSCN (IM) and urged all to fight tooth and nail against any divisive policy.

Shops and vendors at the market in Yairipok remained closed during the meeting.

People raised various slogans.

People from Wangkhem AC, Andro AC and Heirok AC - Phanjakhong, Chandrakhong, Kakmayai, Ningel, Leirongthe, Kekru, Malom, Khoirom, Bamol Leikai, Bishnunaha, Top-Chingtha, Laimanai, Mayai Keithel, Wangkhem and Siphai Leikai took part in the meeting.

Meira Paibis and locals of Kiyam Siphai Maning Leikai, Mamang Leikai, Lamdaibung Leikai, Laithangol Leikai, Khundongbam Leikai, Amureijam Leikai, Ngathem Leikai, Kshetrimayum Leikai, Heibong Leikai and Khong Ahanbi Leikai, under COCOMI also staged a joint alert meeting at Kiyam Siphai Babu Bazar.

Heirok Block Congress Committee too organised a sit-in protest at Heirok Part-II Bazar and formed human chain demonstrating collective stand on any threat against State's interest and integrity.

The protesters also raised several slogans and demanded immediate sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to take resolutions in State's interest.

Bishnupur: In Bishnupur district, more than 350 inter district and inter village passenger service vehicles ceased work and carried out protest rally today.

The vehicles started the rally from Moirang Thangjing Mamang Lampak and reached many places including Moirang Keithel, Sendra, Kumbi Bazar, Saiton, Phougakchao Ikhai, Tiddim, Torbung, Moirang Lamkhai, Ningthoukhong, Bishnupur Keithel, Bishnupur Forest Gate before culminating at Moirang Chengei Lampak.

Lending its support to COCOMI, members of the Inter District Passenger Service vehicles (Kangvai/Torbung to Dist Hospital CCpur) also carried out similar protest rally.

The rally started from Torbung Bangla to Moirang Lamkhai.

Kakching: Joint Non Government Voluntary Organisation (JNGVO)- Kakching, Kakching Keithel Apunba Ima Lup, United Organisations-Kakching, All Kakching Students' Union (AKSU), Traditional Boundary Protection Committee, Kakching and Kakching Lamkhai Bazar Business Welfare Board organised rally at Kakching under COCOMI.

The protesters were stopped near the residence of Kakching MLA Y Surchandra at Turel Wangma.

Later few representatives of the people were allowed to submit a memorandum to the PRO of the MLA as the MLA was not home at the time.

Locals of Pangaltabi and surrounding areas under Sugnu AC also staged alert meeting under COCOMI.

AMUCO president PH Nando Luwang and CCSK president Jitendra Ningomba also took part in the alert meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Ph Nando expressed apprehension that the Centre may introduce the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the coming Parliament session scheduled to begin from November 18 adding to the woes of the people of the State.

People should remain vigilant on the face of Centre introducing 'divisive policy' which aims at disintegrating Manipur into pieces, he said.

People are not satisfied with the verbal assurance given by Union Home Minister when Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited Delhi, he added.