Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 26:
Consequent upon the failure of talks for the second time between representatives of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup and the Chief Minister in connection with the arrest of TIPS general secretary L Umakanta and publicity secretary Y Thabi, wakat meephams were staged today at different places demanding unconditional release of the duo.
Police bar womenfolk from proceeding towards the Raj Bhavan
A six member team of the Apunba Lup led by its three co-ordinators met the this morning but no understanding could be arrived at for the release of
Umakanta and Thabi.
Owing to the failure of the talk, women members of the Lup staged sit-in-protest near Keishampat oil pump.
The protestors then marched towards the Raj Bhavan at around 3:30 pm but they were prevented from reaching their destination by a police team.
Later, five representatives were allowed to meet the Governor.
At Raj Bhavan, the Governor's secretary conveyed his helplessness to the women leaders as Dr SS sidhu is currently out of station.
The women leaders also called on the IFC Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, who is the Chief Minister in-charge in the latter's absence.
There too, Phungzathang told the women representatives that he could not do anything as the Chief Minister himself had left his station.
Nevertheless, Phungzathang assured the women representatives of his best efforts to solve the issue by Monday after the arrival of the Chief Minister, conveyed one of the women leaders.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the Amnesty International had sent a representation to Chief Minister O Ibobi to ensure that no form of torture is meted out to the apprehended TIP executives, to allow the detainees meet with their lawyers and family members, to avail medical facilities to the duo, to disclose the place where they are being detained and to spell out the charges under which Umakanta and Thabi are being detained.
The letter also asked for commensurate punishment to the police personnel involved after a free and thorough investigation along with medical experts if the detainees were found tortured while in their custody.
On the other hand, demanding for unconditional release of Umakanta and Thabi, wakat meephams were staged today at different
places.
Such wakat meephams were observed at Khurai Heikrumakhong organised by Heikru Makhong Yaipha Thourang Lup, at Thoubal parking organised by Kanglei Apunba Ima Yaipha Lup and Social Reformation Union and at Lilong Bazar under the aegis of AYVDO, LSA and CLYDO.