Imphal, July 20: In continuing agitations against the custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi, torch rallies and sit-in-protests were organised at various places of the state yesterday evening and today morning.

Even though some of the sit-in-protests were held during the curfew relaxation period many others carried on with the agitation when curfew was reimposed from 12.30 pm at Greater Imphal areas.

At Ghari area near the Tulihal Airport security personnel resorted to firing tear-gas to disperse agitators who had congregated there to shout slogans when the convoy carrying the Home Minister (Minister of state) Prakash Jaiswal passed through.

Defying imposition of curfew, women in large number took out a torch rally from Oinam Bazar till Maibam Lotpaching near the Army post where slogans against the brutal killing of Manorama were raised and demanded revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

The rallyists also demanded immediate punishment of the guilty Assam Rifles personnel involved in the killing of Manorama.

The protests staged today were at Kakwa Naorem Leikai where half of the National Highway 39 were occupied by the women agitators, Pishum Thongkhong, Khongman Children ideal School, Cosmopolitan High School (Chingkhu), Lamboikhul Primary School, Moirang Thana Leikai, Khundrakpam Mayai Leikai, Sagolband Akham Leikai, Top Moirang Kampu Tinsid Road, Khongman Zone I & II and Okram Chuthek and Tentha Heibung.

Sit in protest was organised at Sagolband Sadokpam Leikai during the curfew relaxation period today.

Banners demanding arrest and prosecution of the guilty security force personnel and immediate lifting of curfew were put up by the protesters.

Women in large number also staged sit-in-protest at Takyel Khongbal Pungsungbam from about 9 am till late afternoon with similar agitation also staged at Khunthokhanbi Meira paibi Lup premise by members of seven women organisations.

During the police action to disperse the congregation three women identified as M Keinahal Devi (59), Th Mangisana (55) and Th Thangaisana (67) sustained injuries.

Similar sit-in-protests were also held at Torbung Keithel and Phoubakchao Ikhai Keithel today.

Womenfolk of Vaiphei community come out in large number to take part in these demonstration.

At Khurai Lainingthou Lai Wangma, local Meira Paibis held a protest demonstration against the brutal killing of Th Manorama in the custody of 17 Assam Rifles.

The women protestors also demanded punishment of the guilty personnel and lifting of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

Thingel Apunba Meira Paibi Lup had also organised a sit-in-protest demonstration from early morning today.

However, police dispersed the protestors at around 11.30 am.

Strongly condemning use of force to foil the democratic form of agitation the sit-in-protesters also charged the police personnel of using derogatory languages.

Charging the State police commando of similar un-parliamentary conduct Sagolband Khamnam Leirak Apunba Meira Paibi Lup demanded punitive action against Imphal West Commando OC Lokhon who led the team.

Arapti Young Learners' Club and meira paibis of the area staged a torch rally at Arapti area last night stro-ngly condemning the brutal killing of Manorama and demanding removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State.

Meanwhile, many social, voluntary and women organisations continued to condemn the security force personnel�s atrocities and abuse of human rights and demanded immediate revocation of draconian laws imposed upon the people of Manipur.

They also strongly condemned the killing of Manorama after arresting her by issuing arrest memo.

The bodies also flayed security force personnel using force and arms to disperse the agitators who protested in a democratic manner.

All Manipur NGOs Forum palace Compound has also condemned the brutal killing of Manorama and termed the act as inhuman and barbaric.

In a statement, the forum stated that the common people have been made scapegoats in confrontation between UGs and security forces.

It also asserted that security person- nel who have been deployed in the State for protecting the citizens have turned themselves into killing machines under the immunity granted by the Armed Forces Special Power Act.

Stating that the peace will never decend in the State unless and until all the black laws are lifted from the State, the forum appealed to the authorities concerned to lift the draconian laws from the State immediately in the interest of the people.

All Zeliangrong Arts and Cultural Organisation (AZACO) Manipur has lauded the women folks who made a daring protest in front of the Assam Rifles gate as a mark of protest against the brutal murder of Manorama by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles.

Coming down heavily on the Ministers, the organisation said that the Ministers should wake up and take up approriate measure for meeting the people's demand instead of clinging on to their cushioned chairs.

It also urged the people to unite and fight against the army atrocities so that another custodial death does not recur again in the State.

Organisations condem-ning the security force�s excesses and demanding repealing of Disturbed Area status and lifting of black laws from the State are Ucheckon Youths Athletic club (Kongba), Yumburembi Mama Nupi Lup (Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai), Imphal East District Football Assn (Mapal Kangjeibung), AMSU (Singjamei), ACOAM-Lup (Imphal West), Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (Paona Bazar), Network for Social Upliftment (Wangkhem) and Chaokhat Thourang Nupi Lup (Koirou Mamang Leikai).

Canchi Transport Cooperative Society Limited (Mongshangei) while condemning the killing of Manorama and Saichung village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai demanded arrest and punishment of the Assam Rifles personnel involved in slaying the two.

Kongba branch of Manipuri Students Federation pledging to defying imposition of curfew condemned the State police personnel for using derogatory language to disperse women staging peaceful sit-in-protest at Kongba Bazar.

The student body also took serious note of law enforcing agents singling out and arresting student activists from their houses.

Apunba Nupi Lup (Khurai Thoudam leikai) expressing solidarity to the nude protest of Manipuri mothers at the Kangla gate of 17 Assam Rifles also pledged to continue the ongoing agitation till the culprits are punished and draconian laws repealed.

Expressing serious note at the reluctance of SPF Government legislators, opposition MLAs and political parties to remove Disturbed Area tag from Manipur observed that these people�s representative do not deserve to hang onto their seat and demanded that they resign owing moral responsibility for the prevailing social chas in Manipur.

Members of Khongjom Circle Meira Paibee Forum symbolically hanged Chief Minister O Ibobi singh and Union Minister of State (Home) Prakash jaiswal at the Khongjom War Memorial complex today to denounce atrocities committed by security force personnel against the people of Manipur.

Lamenting imposition of curfew to muffle the sentimental outcry of the people of Manipur in the wake of Manorama�s killing International manipuri Mothers� Association fervently appealed to the concerned authorities to end the current turmoil in an amicable manner before the matter goes out of control.

Ayangpalli, Islamic Development Council Manipur Minuthong and All Manipur Muslim Students Organsiation have also condemned the killing in the strongest term.

While strongly condemning the cold blooded murder of Manorama, Union of Social upliftment Khurai Lamlong has appealed to the Maharaj of Manipur to take up necessary actions and punish the guilty AR personnel.

In the meantime, highlighting various inconveniences faced by the general public due to imposition of curfew All Manipur Nupi Marup demanded that curfew be relaxed from 5 am till 7 pm.

The body also observed that lifting of disturbed area act from parts of Manipur especially in Imphal areas on trial basis would automatically facilitate removal of the tag from the entire State.

The Marup nevertheless pledged to carry forth the agitation for arrest of guilty AR personnel and total scrapping of draconian laws from Manipur.Rather than getting indulged in petty political differences time has come for one and all to solve the issue at the earliest and in such a manner acceptable to all the people of the State, it said.

To protest against custodial death of Manorama, a large number of local meira paibis today staged a sit-in-protest from 9 am to 4 pm at Leimaram Heinoubok.

Meanwhile, Eagles Club Churachandpur Dist, Local Development Association Kwakeithel, Paradise Club Manipur, All Manipur Film Producers Assocaition Paona Bazar, Kongjeng Hazari Leikai Youth Development Club, Social Worker Congress Khongman Imphal, The Daimond Club Wangkhei, etc have also condemned killing of Manornama and imposition of curfew to foil public agitation.

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