Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 14:
Even as thousands of people came out in droves in response to a call from the UCM to court mass arrest demanding the release of 41 protestors including AMSU leaders who were arrested in connection with the anti-ceasefire agitation, the State administration softened their earlier tough posture and ordered the release of the incarcerated protestors without any conditions today.
As the clock struck 10 this morning the people started coming out from their homes and gathered at all the nook and corner of the capital city to court arrest as part of the line of action announced by UCM to demand the unconditional release of the protestors.
At this moment the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal ordered that the AMSU leaders to be released without any condition.
Other Magistrates concerned also issued similar orders effecting the unconditional release of all the 41 jailed protestors.
As news of the sudden turn around of the Government started doing its round, the people who had come out to court arrest abandoned their line of action and instead made their way towards Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), where a grand reception for the freed protestors was held.
People from Thoubal district, Bishnupur district and other places also abandoned their earlier agenda of courting arrest and instead made their way towards Imphal and BOAT.
As the turn out was too large the reception venue had to be shifted from BOAT to Hapta Kangjeibung.
A massive human chain was formed from Khabeisoi where the Sajiwa jail is located to Minuthong to welcome the freed protestors.
The freed student leaders and others were garlanded as soon as they stepped outside the jail and they were carried by the enthusiastic people all the way to Minuthong.
Slogans to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur at any cost rent the air.
The student leaders and others first made their way to Kekrupat to pay their homage to the 18 martyrs who laid down their lives in the people's movements.
Leaders of the UCM also paid their respect at Kekrupat.
Later they made their way towards Hapta Kangjeibung where they were given a rousing welcome.
Anticipating trouble, the Education (S) Secretariat had issued an order yesterday notifying the closure of all educational institutions located in Imphal East, West, Thoubal and Bishnupur today.
However school students, in their full uniforms turned out for the court arrest though this was aborted following the release 4 the jailed protestors.
Curfew was clamped in Thoubal district from 9 am till 3 pm today.
The District Magistrates of both Imphal East and West also clamped prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 in the two districts.
Security forces were out in full strength to quell any trouble.
All business establishments downed shutters in Imphal city from 10 am onwards.
Inter district buses and taxis also stayed off the road today.
Shops and business establishments also remained closed from 10 am at Bishnupur district.
Top ranking civil and police officers held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the likely repercussions of the proposed mass court arrest agitation announced by the UCM.
The process to release the 41 protestors was set in motion yesterday itself.