Imphal, June 22: All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) have announced their respective decision to support the general strike being called by two groups of the Apunba Lup to protest the killing of Pheiroijam Kishorjit by Assam Rifles from midnight of June 22 to 7 pm of June 23.Kishorjit, who ran a chemist shop at Napet Palli, was allegedly killed during an encounter with the Assam Rifles in the wee hours yesterday.

However, the local people claimed that he was killed after he was picked up by the security personnel and protested the killing by blocking the Imphal-Ukhrul road since yesterday.

In a statement, AMSU general secretary Mayengbam Chourajit Singh said the incident has yet again exposed the fact that the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State has given the security personnel unbridled powers to kill and maim anyone as they please.

The Centre and the State Government should take note of this, he further said.

AMSU would extend its support to the general strike for safeguarding the rights of the people and protect them from the excesses of the security forces, Chourajit said and appealed to all the units and branches of the students' body to ensure success of the general strike.

MSF secretary general Ananta Chongtham said it is obnoxious on the part of the security forces to kill a person after picking up and later claiming that he/she she was an underground activist who was killed in an encounter.

The killing of Kishorjit by the Assam Rifles even as the people of Manipur are demanding removal of AFSPA is really unfortunate, MSF said.

Flaying the State Government for its alleged inability to initiate action against the Assam Rifles personnel involved in the killing, the students' body demanded resignation of all the State MLAs, Ministers and MPs on moral ground.

Extending support to the general strike, MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal appealed to the all the people not to venture out from their houses during their general strike.

MAFYF further appealed to all the people and organisations for tirelessly working and joining hands for removal of all draconian laws from the State totally.

UCM Lamlai Unit also announced its decision of extending full support to the 19-hour general strike being called by the Apunba Lup.

Meanwhile, while condemning the excesses being committed by the security personnel on the people under the immunity granted under AFSPA, Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) has suggested that the civil organisations which are pursuing for the cause of justice to the slain person should keep aside their organisational interest for public interest.

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