Rally, sit-ins denounce Jiri massacre, AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 28 2024: Defying the curfew imposed by the state government, a large number of people took out a rally in Lamlai area demanding repeal of the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the entire state and arrest of those involved in the killing of three women and three children in Jiribam district.

The rally jointly organised by Poirei Apunba Leimarol Meira Paibi (PALEM), North East United Clubs' Organisation, Manipuri Students' Federation, Lamlai Branch and All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association, Telou unit began from Nongdam ground and ended at Yourabung High School, covering a distance of over 4 km.

"The march was organised by Meira Paibis and local clubs in Lamlai constituency.

We have reiterated time and again that AFSPA is a tool of oppression.

The people of Imphal valley and Naga areas have suffered the most under AFSPA, but the government has never acknowledged their suffering," Y Leima, a woman protester, said.

The Centre recently re-imposed AFSPA, under which an area is declared as "disturbed" for the convenience of security forces to operate, in areas under six police stations, including the violence-hit Jiribam.

In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said the decision was taken given the continuous volatile situation there due to the ongoing ethnic violence.

Speaking on the sidelines of the rally, PALEM president Mongjam Bimolata denounced re-imposition of AFSPA in certain areas in the midst of the aggression by Kuki militants on innocent Meeteis persisting for 19 months.

"Re-imposi-tion of the Act will never be accepted by people," she said, while maintaining that they are ready to fight against the attempt to oppress the people.

Reiterating the demands for arrest and punishment of those involved in the killing of six civilians in Jiribam, she said that failure by both state and central governments to fulfil the demands would prove their incapability to protect their citizens.

She then cautioned of launching intense protests if their demands for removing the AFSPA and punishing the killers of women and kids are not fulfilled.

The rally participants chanted slogans including 'Remove AFSPA from Manipur', 'Punish those involved in killing of women and kids in Jiribam', 'Killing of women and kid act of terrorist' and India should not try to eradicate Manipur' among others.

Meanwhile, Manipur Ima, Mayaikoibi Ningthoujam Leikai Nupi Ihou Marup, Nupi Khunai Lamjing Meira Lup, Chaokhat Thourang Khutpu Sadokpam, Lamjing Seva Meira Paibi Sayang Konthoujam Makha Leikai, Lukram Leirak Awang Women Association, Sangaiprou Apunba Nupi Lup, Ghari Awang Women Development Centre and Chanura Liching Lukram Lup staged sit in protest at Kwakeithel Lukram Leirak Makha Leikai community hall on Thursday demanded repeal of AFSPA from the state and arrest of Kuki-Hmar-Zo terrorists involved in killing of women and kids at Jiribam.

The sit-in protest also condemned the statement of MLA Paolienlal Haokip and the act of the central government.

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